Possible Clues:

• One of the D's in 35-Across
• Opposite of surplus
• Skilful concealing old British firm's shortfall
• Shortfall of revenue
• Shortfall bound to restrict Conservative leader, if mounting
• Shortage female in charge discovered in tight diet
• Fed up with a fair amount of implicit shortfall
• Successive notes on one large town -- endless money problem
• Sure to take over old company making a loss
• Making neat moves to contain old firm's shortfall