BRITAIN notched up a record government borrowing surplus last month in a surprise boost for Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the Spring Statement, according to official figures today.

The rise was sparked by a jump in self-assessed tax payments and a fall in debt interest to the lowest level for almost six years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there was a public sector net borrowing surplus of £30.4 billion in January.

It is the highest borrowing surplus — when the government receives more in tax and other revenues than it spends — for any month since records began in 1993.

The surplus was also £6.3bn bigger than predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and £15.9bn higher than the same month a year ago.

It came after the government received a record tax take for January.

Central government tax receipts increased by £13.3bn to £109.7bn, the ONS said.