Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK rose to GBP 2.5 billion in August 2026 from an upwardly revised GBP 2.1 billion in July and largely beating market forecasts of GBP 1.9 billion. This represented the highest level recorded since data collection began in April 2023, exceeding the previous six-month average of GBP 1.9 billion. Within this, net borrowing through credit cards was GBP 1.2 billion in August, up from GBP 0.9 billion in July. Net borrowing through other forms of consumer credit, such as car dealership finance and personal loans, increased to GBP 1.3 billion, from GBP 1.2 billion over the same period. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit increased slightly to 9.6% in August, from 9.3% in July. Over the same period, the annual growth rate for credit card borrowing increased to 13.3% from 12.6% in July, and the annual growth rate for other forms of consumer credit increased slightly to 7.9%, from 7.7% in July.