UK economy shrunk by worse-than-expected 0.3% in April, ONS reveals, in bitter blow to Rachel Reeves
The UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, it was revealed on Thursday, in a blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves as her spending review comes under growing scrutiny.
The latest GDP figures revealed by the Office for National Statistics is worse than the 0.1% fall expected by economists.
Responding to the news, Ms Reeves acknowledged they were 'clearly disappointing' but insisted her spending review, delivered to MPs on Wednesday, would help deliver growth.
The Chancellor said: 'Our number one mission is delivering growth to put more money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change, and while these numbers are clearly disappointing, I'm determined to deliver on that mission.
'In yesterday's spending review we set out how we'll deliver jobs and growth - whether that's improving city region transport, a record investment in affordable homes or funding Sizewell C nuclear power station. We're investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off.'
Speaking on Sky News, the Chancellor admitted April was a 'challenging month' but said the data was 'perhaps not entirely unexpected' given uncertainty around tariffs.
Breaking news. This article is being updated.
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