UK government debt has soared more than 40% since the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020, reaching nearly 2.6 trillion pounds ($3.3 trillion), the highest level since the early 2020s and about the same as the country’s annual gross domestic product.

Although some developed countries, for example, the US has debts as a high percentage in its GDP, the UK is unique in this case because 1/4 of its government debt is “index-linked to inflation”. As prices surged in the UK over the past 18 months, so have government repayments of interest on inflation-linked bonds.

In the latest fiscal year, high inflation resulted in the highest debt ratio in 40 years, weighing on the country’s finances as it grapples with weak economic growth and an election looming pressure. The credit ratings company Fitch said, “Britain has a higher debt-repay as a share of government revenue than any other advanced economy.”

Britain’s growing debt burden puts it in a precarious position. A downgrade of the country’s credit rating could further raise borrowing costs, although the impact is likely to be limited. Earlier this month, Fitch canceled the U.S.’s AAA rating, one of the reasons was the increase in the U.S. debt ratio. Fitch ‘s current rating outlook on the UK is negative, which means the risk of the country’s rating being downgraded to A from the current AA- rating increases.

Moody’s and S&P will release updates on the UK on October 20th, and Fitch will issue an update on December 1st.

(UK ratings, Fitch)

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