VALUABLE WIN
Rishi Sunak declares ‘the plan IS working and we must stick to it’ as Britain finally exits recession
The PM could not have been quicker to herald the stats as “proof” the country has “turned a corner” thanks to his efforts
RISHI Sunak has this morning seized on Britain's exit from recession as "proof" his plan is working.
The UK is now officially out of recession after the economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the last three months.
2
2
The growth was higher than most boffins had expected and firmly puts us back in the black following a brief and shallow downturn.
Following a bruising week of local elections fallout and a Tory defection, the PM trumpeted the good news.
He said: "The economy has turned a corner. Today's news proves that.
“We know things are still tough for many people, but the plan is working, and we must stick to it.”
READ MORE ON POLITICS
Labour says a government “victory lap” is ridiculous given people still do not feel better off.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "“This is no time for Conservative ministers to be doing a victory lap and telling the British people that they have never had it so good.
"The economy is still £300 smaller per person than when Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister."
While 0.6 per cent growth seems small, economists said it showed the economy in more robust health than previously thought.
Most read in Politics
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: "After two quarters of contraction, the UK economy returned to positive growth in the first three months of this year.
Sun columnist Trevor Kavanagh on why Rishi Sunak's battle with Keir Starmer isn't over yet
"There was broad-based strength across the service industries with retail, public transport and haulage, and health all performing well.
"Car manufacturers also had a good quarter. These were only a little offset by another weak quarter for construction."
It represented the strongest quarterly growth since the fourth quarter of 2021.
Exit from recession is good news for Sunak
By JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent
AFTER a tough week for Rishi Sunak, finally some good news.
Britain is now officially out of recession after the economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the last three months.
It might not seem much, but it is growth higher than most boffins had expected and firmly puts us back in the black.
The PM could not have been quicker to herald the stats as “proof” the country has “turned a corner” thanks to his efforts.
“We know things are still tough for many people, but the plan is working, and we must stick to it,” he said this morning.
For a man who regards economic competency as a key pillar of his electoral appeal, the fact Britain was in recession was a drag anchor around his neck.
Although the downturn was brief and shallow, it was a label Sunak was desperate to shake off.
This morning he now has, and it is a much-needed boost at a time when he has spent more time on his back foot than his front.
Bruising local election results followed by another Tory defection forced him onto the ropes.
Now expect him to come out swinging and once again talking about the economy - the battleground where he is most comfortable.
Labour says a government “victory lap” is ridiculous given people still do not feel better off.
For many millions of Brits, that will ring true.
But Sunak now has a message to sell that things are on up. Inflation is coming down, growth is creeping forwards.
Many strategists still regard Bill Clinton’s “it’s the economy stupid” as political law - that if people feel better off they will reward the party responsible.
Sunak’s challenge now is to turn the economic results into political results - and that remains to be seen.
Topics