Why does government borrow?

There are many different reasons for government borrowing

 •    Tax revenues are less than predicted. Borrowing means the government can meet a temporary shortfall by borrowing, rather than having to immediately cut back on spending. Like an overdraft facility, government borrowing gives the government more flexibility and means they can maintain wages and spending commitments without having to keep cutting spending.

•    Automatic fiscal stabilizers. In a recession, government tax revenues fall (e.g. people earn less so pay less income tax). Also the government has to spend more on unemployment benefits. Therefore, in an economic downturn, borrowing rises. To eliminate borrowing in a recession would make the recession worse and increase inequality. If the government couldn’t borrow in a recession, the unemployed may not get any benefits and have no income.

•    Investment. The government may invest in public sector investment. For example, building schools, hospitals, better roads. This investment can give a return on the investment which helps to boost productive capacity and increase economic growth.  In this case, the government is acting like a firm who takes out a loan to finance investment. 

•    Political. The biggest tendency to borrow comes from political pressures. Voters generally like to hear the promise of lower taxes  and increasing spending. A manifesto to tackle a budget deficit (higher taxes and lower spending) is unlikely to be popular. Voters often are supportive of the general idea of reducing government debt, but when it comes to actual policies like lower benefits, higher pension age, increased VAT rate, then it is likely to hit some particular pressure group with a vested interest in maintaining low tax and spending. 

•    War. During a war, government spending is stretched leading to higher borrowing. The highest rates of borrowing occurred during the two world wars. Also, during wars, it may be easier to sell bonds as you can play the patriotic card to encourage people to finance government borrowing. 

•    It’s Cheap. Governments like the UK can usually borrow at very low interest rates, especially during an economic downturn. This is because people have confidence government bonds are secure and so are willing to lend at low interest rates. 

•    Economic Growth tends to reduce real debt burden. In the early 1950s, UK public sector debt was over 200% of GDP. However, over next few decades, economic growth helped to reduce the burden of debt. Assuming constant economic growth of 3% a year, the government can borrow more, but maintain the same % of tax revenue on interest payments