Finance

UK’s Sunak wary of public finance impact if rates rise

Published by maria gbaf

Posted on October 29, 2021

1 min read

· Last updated: January 29, 2026

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Sunak Cautious of UK Public Finance Risks with Rate Hikes

LONDON (Reuters) – British finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday the government’s level of debt was high and while the cost of servicing that was currently low he had to be alert to the risk that that could change.

“The amount of debt is large, and that’s a result of what’s happened across over the last 12 months,” he told BBC Radio. “But … the cost of servicing that debt currently is actually quite low… and that’s because interest rates are at the moment very low.”

“It’s one of the risks that I have to protect us against, because if they do rise that will have an impact on the public finances.”

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Alistair Smout)

Key Takeaways

  • Rishi Sunak highlights UK's high level of government debt.
  • Current low interest rates keep debt servicing costs low.
  • Potential rate hikes could impact public finances significantly.
  • Sunak stresses the need for vigilance against rising rates.
  • The UK economy faces challenges due to high debt levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The article discusses UK finance minister Rishi Sunak's concerns about the impact of potential interest rate rises on public finances.
Why is the cost of servicing UK debt currently low?
The cost is low because current interest rates are very low, making debt servicing cheaper.
What could happen if interest rates rise?
If interest rates rise, the cost of servicing the UK's high level of debt could increase, impacting public finances.

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