LONDON (AP) — Fitch Ratings on Friday stripped the U.K. of its cherished top AAA credit score, citing a weaker economic outlook that continues to hinder the country in keeping control of its debt.

Fitch becomes the second major ratings agency to downgrade its rating for the U.K. to AA+. Though Fitch said the country had fiscal financing flexibility helped by the strength of the pound, it warned of problems ahead due to higher-than-projected debt and deficits.