Britain's Government Debt - Who is Buying It?

This is a superbly clear short video from the Financial Times on how the UK government must compete on then global market for investors prepared to buy new issues of gilts (government bonds).

The UK must this year borrow £131bn to repay its old debts and meet the day-to-day costs of running the nation. But with the country reliant on international owners of its debt, Elaine Moore asks: can it continue to attract foreign investors? China. Norway and the United States are three countries with significant holdings of UK government debt and demand remains strong with ten-year bond yields at historic lows. But the national debt is now estimated at around £25,000 for each of our population.