The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April, ending a growth streak, as the Iran war impacts British output, with services declining 0.2% and a 9.1% drop in sports and recreation activities. Despite a 0.7% three-month GDP expansion, economists warn of tough conditions ahead due to inflation pressures and slowing growth.
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April, driven by a 0.2% fall in services, particularly sports and recreation, partly due to Middle East conflict impacts. Economists expected this contraction, which follows months of growth. Rising energy costs are a key concern.
The UK economy shrank by 0.1% in April, official figures show, as rising energy prices due to the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz impacted growth. Services output declined, while construction saw a slight rise.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a challenging economic climate with rising inflation, stalled living standards, and slowing growth. High mortgage rates, increased business taxes, and nearing post-pandemic unemployment highs are impacting the economy, with the IMF predicting the UK will be the worst-affected G7 nation.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, exceeding forecasts, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves attributing the resilience to the government's economic plan and arguing against leadership changes amid Labour party infighting.
The UK economy shows resilience despite the Iran war, with 0.6% growth in Q1, outperforming other G7 nations. Growth per capita is the fastest in four years, and key sectors like services and tech thrive, though some industries struggle. Consumer confidence dips due to rising fuel and mortgage costs.
The UK economy shows resilience, growing 0.6% in Q1 despite the Iran war, outpacing other G7 nations, with strong GDP per capita growth and sector-specific successes, though consumer confidence is declining.
Britain's economy grew 0.3% in March, beating forecasts of a 0.2% contraction, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves attributing the success to the government's economic plan, amid internal Labour leadership tensions and looming economic challenges.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, beating forecasts of a 0.2% contraction, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves attributing the success to her economic plan and warning against risking stability. Despite being the fastest-growing G7 economy, concerns persist over potential recession due to the Iran war's fallout, rising inflation, and pressure on households.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, beating forecasts, as consumers and businesses accelerated spending ahead of expected price hikes due to the Iran war, though analysts warn of future contraction.
The UK economy grew 0.6% in Q1 2026, outperforming forecasts, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves attributing the success to her economic plan and warning against risking stability amid Labour's internal power struggles and external economic pressures.
The UK economy grew 0.6% in Q1 2026, beating expectations, but economists warn of weakening growth ahead due to global conflict and potential leadership battle in the Labour party, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves warns could plunge the UK into chaos.
The UK economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding expectations, but experts warn of potential slowdown due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, anticipating higher inflation and reduced GDP growth for the year.
UK's Q1 GDP grows 0.6% led by services sector, but analysts predict weakening growth due to Iran conflict's impact on energy, petrol, and food prices.
The UK economy grew 0.6% in Q1 2026, exceeding forecasts, despite the war in Iran. Chancellor Rachel Reeves attributes this to the government's economic plan, while experts warn of weaker growth ahead due to energy price shocks and political instability.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, exceeding expectations despite the Iran war, with broad-based services sector growth, though discretionary spending shows signs of decline.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, defying expectations of a 0.2% contraction, with the services sector driving the unexpected expansion amid the Iran war, according to ONS data.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, exceeding expectations of a 0.2% contraction, with the services sector leading the expansion despite higher energy costs from the Iran war, making the UK the top G7 economy for Q1 2026 so far.
UK GDP grew 0.3% in March, beating expectations of a 0.2% contraction, driven by a strong services sector despite energy supply disruptions from the Iran war.
An exodus of workers will be damaging – and electoral change might help Britain escape instability and low growthWhile all eyes are on the Middle East and the risk of a global recession, a possible scenario with significant downside risk for the UK economy after the next general election is building: the impact of anti-immigration policies.We do not know enough about the actual policy changes a Reform UK-led government would impose, but if we get forced repatriation (including of some who were born in Britain) combined with a climate of fear, the economic disruption could be highly significant. Continue reading...
Lobbyist Tara Singh says stripping projects of subsidy contracts would undermine investor confidence in UKBritain could be beset by levels of economic chaos last seen under Liz Truss if a Reform UK government were to fulfil its promise to strip renewable energy projects of subsidy contracts, according to the industry’s chief lobbyist.The anti-renewables policy put forward by Nigel Farage’s populist party would severely undermine investor confidence in the energy industry and across the wider UK economy, the new chief executive of RenewableUK said. Continue reading...
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) has warned Britain faces a £35bn economic hit and risk of recession this year due to the Middle East conflict. The thinktank downgraded its 2026 growth forecast by 0.5 percentage points to 0.9%, and 2027 by 0.3 points to 1%. Under an adverse scenario with oil at $140/barrel, UK inflation could exceed 5%, forcing the Bank of England to raise rates by 1.5% — the biggest single rise since 1992. Government borrowing could increase by almost £24bn by decade's end, nearly erasing Rachel Reeves's fiscal headroom.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle earlier confirmed that MPs will decide whether to let inquiry into Keir Starmer’s statements over Peter Mandelson proceedDowning Street has said that the UK is “in a good position” to handle the global supply problems caused by the Iran war not being resolved.Speaking at the morning lobby briefing, the PM’s spokesperson said:We remain focused on a long-term, permanent solution to the crisis. As a result of the forward-planning, the government undertook over the past few months, the UK is in a good position.We’re ramping up planning for all different potential impacts on the UK economy and consumers, and that means focusing on a live monitoring of stock levels and what plans are in place for addressing supply chain disruption.Even Boris Johnson didn’t block his MPs voting for scrutiny. Labour MPs must be given a free vote on any motion to refer Starmer to the privileges committee, not forced into being accomplices to a cover-up.If Keir Starmer has misled the House and the public, he must be held to the same standard that we should expect of any prime minister. Continue reading...
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has confirmed MPs will debate a Tory motion tomorrow calling for the privileges committee to investigate whether Keir Starmer misled parliament about the Peter Mandelson vetting process. Former PM Gordon Brown has urged Labour MPs to support Starmer, with the government working to defeat the motion backed by a three-line whip. The debate follows publication of a cabinet office memo stating appropriate processes were followed in Mandelson's appointment. Meanwhile, progress is reported in the Birmingham bin strike, with a settlement now within sight.
