Live Economy shrinks in blow for Reeves
Britain's economy shrank at the start of the second quarter, official figures show, in a blow for the Chancellor after her spending review.
UK gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.3pc during the month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This was worse than analysts' fears that the economy would shrink by 0.1pc and follows a 0.7pc expansion during the first three months of the year.
The data covers the month when Donald Trump launched his so-called 'liberation day' tariff onslaught which threatened to upend global trade.
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: 'After increasing for each of the four preceding months, April saw the largest monthly fall on record in goods exports to the United States with decreases seen across most types of goods, following the recent introduction of tariffs.'
The figures come a day after economists warned that Britain faces tax rises in the autumn after Rachel Reeves unveiled her spending review.
The Chancellor has made growing the economy one of her key missions as she battles to shore up the public finances.
An expanding economy would mean that she is better able to pay off the nation's debt and would improve living standards.
Ms Reeves 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.'
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