BRITAIN'S debt soared to a record £1.02TRILLION yesterday — amid renewed fears ... - The Sun

Chancellor George Osborne had to borrow £2billion more than planned in March due to lower than expected tax revenue.

It means debt now stands at 66 per cent of Britain's gross domestic product — another record.

The figures emerged ahead of the latest growth statistics, out today.

The economy contracted by 0.3 per cent in the last three months of 2011.

Officials will reveal if it continued to shrink in the first quarter of this year. If it did, it means the UK has plunged into a double dip recession.

Mr Osborne still just met his annual £126billion borrowing target thanks to better numbers in February.

And a Treasury spokesman said: "Today's data shows the forecast for 2011-12 is on track, with public borrowing down by £11billion compared to the previous year.

"This shows the Government's plan to reduce the deficit is working."

Mr Osborne came under fresh attack yesterday over his refusal to halt a 3p fuel duty hike.

His Labour shadow Ed Balls asked: "Is the truth you cut taxes for millionaires but don't understand family budgets?"