LONDON (AP) — Official statisticians say Britain's public sector borrowing was higher than expected in October at £10.3 billion ($16.4 billion).

The figure was £1.4 billion higher than the consensus forecast, according to Barclays Capital.

The Office for National Statistics yesterday also reported that retail sales in October were two percent higher by value compared to a year earlier.

In the stores, sales by predominantly food shops were up 1.9 percent and nonfood stores reported sales up 2.6 percent.

The biggest gainers included textile, clothing and footwear stores, which were up five percent, and general merchandise stores, which saw a 4.8 percent rise.