The UK economy grew by 0.5 per cent in February, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is a welcome improvement after the economy shrank slightly in January.
The boost was mainly thanks to stronger activity in services like health and education, as well as in construction.
The figures mark a surprise boost for Labour and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, offering some welcome momentum after the party made economic growth its top priority since winning last year’s election.
On X she said: “The latest growth figures are encouraging signs that our Plan for Change is working. But we are not complacent. The world has changed.
“We must go further and faster to kickstart economic growth, provide security for working people and put more money in their pockets.”
Rachel Reeves sees surprise boost in GDP in February
PA
Progress has been sluggish in recent months, weighed down by weak consumer confidence and persistent inflation.
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: “The economy grew strongly in February, with broad-based growth across both services and manufacturing.
“In services, we saw strong performances from sectors like computer programming, telecoms, and car dealerships. Meanwhile, in manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals led the way, and car production also recovered after a run of weaker results.
“Looking at the broader picture, the economy has grown solidly over the past three months, with widespread gains across the services sector.”
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UK GDP figures rise more than expected
ONS