Boost For Rachel Reeves As UK Economy Unexpectedly 'Grows Strongly'

Rachel Reeveswith defence secretary John Healey.Rachel Reeves has received an unexpected boost after the UK economy “grew strongly”.The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP) was up 0.5% in February – much higher than the 0.1% expected by economists.According to the ONS, there was “widespread growth across both services and manufacturing industries”.The figures are welcome news for the embattled chancellor after GDP flatlined with zero growth in January.GDP grew 0.5% in February 2025 and 0.6% in the 3-months to February 2025.The economy grew strongly in February with widespread growth across both services and manufacturing industries.Read the latest release ➡️ https://t.co/Fkb80osGgmpic.twitter.com/zBYUPEFHWl— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) April 11, 2025Reeves 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.”Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: “Since coming to office, Labour’s choices have killed growth stone dead and there is still a long way to go to recover. “At the emergency budget, the forecasts for growth, inflation and borrowing all moved in the wrong direction because of Labour’s decisions. “Hardworking families deserve better than a Government crowing about sluggish growth whilst they will be £3,500 worse off because of the jobs tax.”