John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to the ONS monthly public sector finance figures, said:

“These are disappointing figures for George Osborne and show there is no room for complacency.

“Instead of trying to distract us with self-imposed targets the Chancellor sets himself and never meets; he must act to better equip the UK economy in the face of a gloomy global outlook.

"Only yesterday the OECD called on countries like the UK to increase infrastructure spending to support growth. It is by doing this that we can close the fiscal deficit and place the economy on secure foundations in a more sensible and sustainable manner.

"This is why George Osborne needs to stop playing silly Westminster games and focus on solving the problems that leave the UK economy exposed to another shock, rather than cosying up to the bankers that caused the last one.”