Budget deficit higher than forecast

Lower government revenues means the federal budget deficit is running higher than anticipated.

Lower government revenues means the federal budget deficit is running higher than anticipated. (AAP)

The federal budget deficit is getting ahead of forecasts as revenue tumbles.

The budget's underlying cash deficit to the end of August was of $13.53 billion, about $400 million more than estimated in May.

Revenue of $61.1 billion in the first two months of the financial year was $2.2 billion lower than forecast.