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Double blow to Healey as inflation rises to 3.5% and monthly deficit hits £24bn

Consumer prices rise by more than expected while government’s debt interest payments surge to record high for September

Inflation surged to 3.5% last month while the government deficit was a worse-than-forecast £24.5bn, in a double dose of bad news for John Healey before next week’s budget.

The Office for National Statistics said annual inflation rose from 3.1% in August, overshooting City forecasts of a rise in the consumer prices index (CPI) to 3.4%, as a result of the surging cost of fuel.

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© Photograph: Bryn Colton/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bryn Colton/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bryn Colton/Getty Images

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Stratford International on track to get cross-Channel trains in budget boost

Sadiq Khan says upgrade would unlock station’s true potential and allow it to live up to its name

Stratford International train station in east London will receive funding in next week’s budget, according to reports, putting it on track to live up to its name and become a hub for cross-Channel services.

London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been making a case to ministers for funding to upgrade the station to allow it to start running international rail services.

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© Photograph: Mike Kemp/Corbis/Getty Images

© Photograph: Mike Kemp/Corbis/Getty Images

© Photograph: Mike Kemp/Corbis/Getty Images

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UK government borrowing rises to £24.5bn as John Healey prepares for budget

Government paid £10.9bn in debt interest, the highest September figure since records began

The Treasury ran a higher than expected budget deficit of £24.5bn last month as rising inflation pushed up the interest paid on government debt, increasing pressure on John Healey before his budget next week.

Official figures show the government paid £10.9bn in debt interest: the highest September figure since records began, and only the eighth time the monthly number has been above £10bn.

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© Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury

© Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury

© Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury

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