LONDON (AFP) – Britain’s economy grew slightly in the final quarter of last year thanks to solid expansion in December, official data showed yesterday, relieving some pressure on the Labour government.
Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.1 per cent in the October-December period after zero growth in the third quarter of 2024, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.
The data provides a boost to the government and Prime Minister Keir Starmer who have put growing the United Kingdom (UK) economy at the top of its mission since Labour won a general election in July after 14 years in opposition to the Conservatives.
“For too long, politicians have accepted an economy that has failed working people,” finance minister Rachel Reeves said in reaction the latest figures.
“After 14 years of flatlining living standards, we are going further and faster through our plan for change to put more money in people’s pockets,” she added in a statement.
British GDP expanded 0.4 per cent in December, the ONS said.
“The economy picked up in December after several weak months, meaning overall the economy grew a little in the fourth quarter,” noted Liz McKeown, director of economics at the ONS.
