The UK economy flatlined in April as the signs of a recovery from last year’s recession began to fade.
In a blow to Rishi Sunak’s hopes of signalling a strong bounceback before the general election next month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said monthly growth slowed after a 0.4% increase in March.
The economy was unable to maintain its momentum after being weighed down by the struggling services and manufacturing sectors.
after newsletter promotion
City economists had forecast that economic activity would flatline, according to a poll by Reuters.
Figures released last month showed the economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year – the strongest rate of quarterly growth since the end of 2021.
More details soon …