UK economy to accelerate in early 2024

UK economy to accelerate in early 2024

The UK economy emerged from recession at a faster pace than previously thought in the first three months of this year, revised official data showed on Friday, but the economic outlook remains fragile ahead of next week's election.

View of London 06/09/2024. REUTERS/Yann Tessier/File photo

Photo: Reuters

The Office for National Statistics said Britain’s gross domestic product grew by 0.7% in the first three months of the year compared with the previous quarter, exceeding the initial estimate of 0.6%. GDP fell for two consecutive quarters in the second half of 2023.

These figures were published less than a week before the British vote in elections. Opinion polls indicate that the Labor Party, led by Keir Starmer, will easily defeat the Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Longer-term growth prospects are weak, contributing to Sunak’s electoral difficulties. Compared with the same quarter last year, GDP grew by just 0.3%, above the initial estimate of 0.2%.


Real disposable household income – a measure of standard of living – was 0.6% lower per person in the first quarter of 2024 than in the last quarter of 2019, the time of the UK’s last national election and just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Resolving this massive contraction in living standards is the ultimate test of who wins the election,” said Adam Corlett, an economist at the Decision Foundation.

The UK economy has been struggling since the last election, hampered not only by the pandemic – which has dealt a lasting blow to the workforce – but also by rising inflation in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and post-Brexit trade frictions.


Reuters – This publication, including information and data, is the intellectual property of Reuters. Use of it or its name without prior permission from Reuters is expressly prohibited. All rights reserved.

See also  FGTS Anniversary Withdrawal Forecast: Impactful Changes

You May Also Like

About the Author: Camelia Kirk

"Friendly zombie guru. Avid pop culture scholar. Freelance travel geek. Wannabe troublemaker. Coffee specialist."

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *