- Domestic investors: These include individuals, banks, and other financial institutions within the UK who hold government bonds.
- Overseas investors: These include foreign governments, central banks, and other financial institutions outside the UK who hold government bonds.
- The Bank of England: The central bank of the UK holds a significant portion of the national debt, as it purchases government bonds as part of its monetary policy operations.
- Other government entities: This may include local governments or public sector organisations that hold government bonds.
The UK government also owes money to international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, but these loans are typically on a smaller scale compared to the debt owed to domestic and overseas investors.