British economy grew up 0.7 per cent between January and March
The UK's recovery from recession has been stronger than previously thought, with experts revising GDP growth up in a small pre-election boost for the Government.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed in revised figures this morning that UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.7 per cent between January and March.
In May, the statistics body estimated that the economy had grown by 0.6 per cent over the quarter.
The improvement in growth was driven by the services sector, with slightly stronger activity in the professional services, transport and storage sectors.
This growth saw the UK economy rebound from a recession in the latter half of 2023, after the ONS previously confirmed two consecutive quarters of decline.
The economy shrank by 0.1 per cent in the third quarter, and 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter.
The news will provide a glimmer of hope for Tory efforts in next Thursday's election, though economic figures for April alone released earlier this month were flat.
The news will provide a glimmer of hope for Tory efforts in next Thursday's election, though economic figures for April alone released earlier this month were flat.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, asked how she thinks the Conservative Party election campaign has gone so far, told Sky News: 'Well, it's still going and we're still fighting for every vote.'
Ms Keegan said the opinion polls have produced a 'whole range of different views', adding: 'None of them looking like the best outcome for our party.
'But I think what is actually happening - and of course we're all out knocking on doors every single day - is there's a lot of undecided voters who previously have voted Conservative, who are frustrated for one reason or another, and there can be very many different reasons, but they haven't gone to another party, and that is actually the story of the doorsteps.'
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