"Gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.3 per cent in March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, showing a surprise uplift for the first full month after the start of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. This helped the economy to grow by a higher-than-expected 0.6 per cent over the first quarter (January-March). This marked the strongest growth since the first quarter of 2025 and came in ahead of the 0.5 per cent rate that analysts had been expecting."
"Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned that now is not the time to risk instability amid a possible leadership challenge against prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Her comments came after new figures showed that the economy unexpectedly grew in March. However, economists warned the pace of growth is set to stall throughout the year as the impact of the Iran war begins to show."
"The choices I have made as chancellor mean our economy is in a stronger position as we deal with the costs of the war in Iran, Ms Reeves said. Now is not the time to put our economic stability at risk."
UK GDP rose 0.3% in March, providing a surprise uplift after the start of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The economy grew 0.6% over the first quarter, exceeding analyst expectations of 0.5% and marking the strongest growth since the first quarter of 2025. Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that a possible leadership challenge against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could risk economic instability. Reeves said the chancellor’s choices left the economy in a stronger position while dealing with war-related costs. Economists cautioned that the pace of growth is likely to slow throughout the year as the Iran war’s effects become clearer.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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