India, Sept. 25 -- The UK budget deficit widened to the highest on record in the financial year-to-date period reflecting the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the public finances, with the furlough schemes alone adding GBP 56.0 billion to borrowing as subsidies paid by the central government.

Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that during April to August, public sector net borrowing was estimated to have been GBP 173.7 billion, which was GBP 146.9 billion more than in the same period last year and the highest borrowing in any April to August period since records began in 1993.

In August alone, public sector net borrowing excluding public sector banks, increased by GBP 30.5 billion from last year to GBP 35.9 billion...