Economic Growth Rises In Q1
Figures published today (April 29) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the UK economy grew again in the first three months of the year, marking the fifth consecutive period of GDP growth.
Figures published today (April 29) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the UK economy grew again in the first three months of the year, marking the fifth consecutive period of GDP growth.
Economic growth continued to gather pace in April, alongside predictions of even stronger growth in the next quarter, according to the latest CBI Growth Indicator, published today (April 28).
Retailers reported increased sales for the fifth consecutive month in April, reflecting “stronger fundamentals” in the sector, with optimism climbing to its highest level in more than three years.
Stronger tax receipts and a fall in departmental spending helped Chancellor George Osborne meet the Government’s full-year borrowing target, confounding expectations, which were for a deficit of £11bn.
Although lending to businesses of all sizes fell in the three months to February, year-on-year, the £500m decline represented a marked improvement on the annualised £3.3bn drop in the previous quarter.
Consumer spending power is set to rise by 1.5 per cent this year as earnings growth accelerates and headline inflation remains below the Bank of England’s target of 2 per cent, according to a report from an economic think tank.
The rise in employment in the UK has been partially spurred by a marked increase in the number of freelancers, as well as an increase in the number of older workers, while the number of women in jobs has reached a record high.
Official figures have revealed that weekly earnings including bonuses rose by 1.7 per cent in the three months to February, outstripping inflation and halting the five-year squeeze on living standards.
The UK inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), fell to 1.6 per cent in March, down from February’s 1.7 per cent. This is the third consecutive month the rate has fallen below the Bank of England’s target of 2 per cent and takes the rate to a four-year low.
DetailsNew research suggests that wages could rise by more than inflation for the first time in almost six years this month and that the UK economy will see “decent but unspectacular” growth this year.
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