Finance

UK fiscal position remains "vulnerable" after tax-raising budget, S&P says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 28, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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UK fiscal position remains "vulnerable" after tax-raising budget, S&P says
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MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Britain's fiscal position remains vulnerable despite finance minister Rachel Reeves' tax-raising budget this week, S&P Global Ratings said on Friday. "We consider the

UK's Fiscal Vulnerability Highlighted by S&P After Budget

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Britain's fiscal position remains vulnerable despite finance minister Rachel Reeves' tax-raising budget this week, S&P Global Ratings said on Friday.

"We consider the UK's fiscal position as vulnerable and one of the key constraints on our sovereign rating," the ratings agency said in a statement.

Britain has an "AA" sovereign credit rating, rated as stable by S&P - a notch below the top "AAA" rating.

S&P said it saw a risk that the government might "back-track" some of its planned budget tightening measures as the next election, due in mid-2029 at the latest, approaches.

While it said Reeves' budget contained limited measures to help economic growth, the country's budget deficit should continue to narrow.

S&P said Britain's high income levels, its large diverse economy and independence of institutions would continue to support its credit rating.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce; Editing by Kate Holton)

Key Takeaways

  • UK's fiscal position deemed vulnerable by S&P.
  • Rachel Reeves' budget raises taxes.
  • UK holds an 'AA' stable credit rating.
  • Potential risk of budget policy reversal before 2029 election.
  • High income levels and diverse economy support UK's rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is economic growth?
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period, typically measured by the rise in gross domestic product (GDP).

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