article_snippet: Britain's First World War debt has finally be repaid in full – more than 100 years after the outbreak of the conflict.
article_snippet: Government repaid some £1.9billion still owed to more than 100,000 people who held 'War Bonds', issued in 1917 to help fund the military effort.
article_snippet: George Osborne said George Osborne could pay off the debts because George Osborne can borrow the money cheaper elsewhere.
article_snippet: More than 100 years after it started, Britain's First World War debt has been paid off by Government .
article_snippet: Government was paying 3.5 per cent in interest to the 120,000 people who bought the bonds in 1917.
article_snippet: Debt Management Office estimates that Britain has paid some £5.5 billion in total interest on the loans since 1917.
article_snippet: Current low interest rates mean Government is able to pay off Britain's First World War debt with new bonds which pay a much lower rate of interest.
article_snippet: We can, at last, pay off the debts Britain incurred to fight the First World War. '
article_snippet: The debt repayment comes after Government repaid £218million of debts from the First World War in October – the first time that Government paid off the war's debts in 67 years.
article_snippet: The Tories claim that Britain can borrow at such low interest rates because Government has got a grip of the public finances and international investors
highlights_snippet: Government repaid £1.9billion still owed to more than 100,000 people .
  
highlights_snippet: Debts can be repaid because the cash can be borrowed cheaper elsewhere .
  
highlights_snippet: Debt Management Office estimates thew UK has paid £5.5billion in interest .