![UK economy is the fastest growing in G7, experts say](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1723780547/articles/uPc6blmDH1723789110278/UK-ECONOMY-IS-THE-FASTEST-GROWING-IN-G7-EXPERTS-SAY.jpg)
Britain’s economy is on track to enjoy the fastest growth of any G7 country in the first half of the year, analysts say.
The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.6 per cent between April and June, in line with economists’ predictions. This totals 1.3 per cent of growth in the first six months of 2024, after Britain fell into recession in late 2023.
Although the figures predate the election, they will provide a boost for the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and chancellor Rachel Reeves, who have made growth the government’s priority, while warning of “tough decisions” ahead, with some tax rises expected.
But experts said the same level of “gangbusters” growth is unlikely to be sustained in the second half of the year, and warned that the figures could convince the Bank of England to delay further cutting interest rates.
In June, no economic growth was recorded for the month as weakness in services was offset by improvements in the manufacturing sector, the ONS said. April also saw no growth recorded, which was put down to the impact of wet weather, but then May saw a 0.4 per cent boost to the economy.
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “The UK economy has now grown strongly for two quarters, following the weakness we saw in the second half of last year. Growth across the three months was led by the service sector, where scientific research, the IT industry and legal services all did well.
Denne historien er fra August 16, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 16, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![England's white-ball reset presents difficult challenge](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/Cq6xpBj951726033973716/ENGLANDS-WHITEBALL-RESET-PRESENTS-DIFFICULT-CHALLENGE.jpg)
England's white-ball reset presents difficult challenge
The Bazball 2.0 white-ball venture has been confirmed for the start of 2025, but before that England take on Australia in a white-ball series packed into September.
![Golden boots shine bright for Kane on winning night](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/RKOAbrvwg1726033895613/GOLDEN-BOOTS-SHINE-BRIGHT-FOR-KANE-ON-WINNING-NIGHT.jpg)
Golden boots shine bright for Kane on winning night
He wore golden boots. And he has won them too of course. Three as the Premier League's top scorer, one for outscoring everyone else in a World Cup. It was a fitting way to mark Harry Kane's century of caps, though. Not the most fitting: that came after the presentations. England 2-0 Finland was Kane 2-0 Finland, a golden night for the golden boots.
![Kane scores twice as he celebrates his 100th cap](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/np3hSC_wW1726033783174/KANE-SCORES-TWICE-AS-HE-CELEBRATES-HIS-100TH-CAP.jpg)
Kane scores twice as he celebrates his 100th cap
As much as this match rightfully became about Harry Kane, there was something else it resembled as Lee Carsley’s England fluidly worked the ball to the centurion for his 67th and 68th international goals. It was like one of the top Premier League teams patiently moving a Championship side around until the gaps presented themselves.
![Government in final stages of £500m Tata rescue deal](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/i4ZrwdnjA1726033717527/GOVERNMENT-IN-FINAL-STAGES-OF-500M-TATA-RESCUE-DEAL.jpg)
Government in final stages of £500m Tata rescue deal
The government is working to finalise a rescue deal worth £500m for Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant this week, following the closure of its blast furnaces, according to reports. The package of support had been drawn up by the previous Conservative government.
![Neil steps down as chair of Spectator after £100m sale](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/DBky_zaEX1726033597280/NEIL-STEPS-DOWN-AS-CHAIR-OF-SPECTATOR-AFTER-100M-SALE.jpg)
Neil steps down as chair of Spectator after £100m sale
Political journalist Andrew Neil has resigned as chair of The Spectator after 20 years at the helm. Neil spoke of his great sadness” at stepping down after the immense privilege” of chairing the world’s oldest current affairs magazine. Financier and GB News investor Sir Paul Marshall becomes the 196-year-old magazine’s 14th proprietor.
![Asos has revealed that fast fashion needs to slow down](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/URG7qfwdQ1726033490922/ASOS-HAS-REVEALED-THAT-FAST-FASHION-NEEDS-TO-SLOW-DOWN.jpg)
Asos has revealed that fast fashion needs to slow down
The online retailer's new charge for serial returners has been met with uproar. But perhaps it should be a wake-up call if your cheap-clothing habit is that severe, writes Helen Coffey
![Faulty connections make direct flights a good idea](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/3nYqRwnld1726033394995/FAULTY-CONNECTIONS-MAKE-DIRECT-FLIGHTS-A-GOOD-IDEA.jpg)
Faulty connections make direct flights a good idea
\"The next SkyLine Shuttle will depart in zero seconds.\" That was one of many fibs I was told during a long, winding and annoying journey yesterday afternoon and evening from Tirana in Albania to London Heathrow.
![TOE-TO-TOE COMBAT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/s6neAzVeZ1726033273645/TOETOTOE-COMBAT.jpg)
TOE-TO-TOE COMBAT
It's hard to believe, but a small Derbyshire town has hosted one of the strangest competitive sports in the world for 50 years. Elizabeth McCafferty watches from the sidelines
![Parents need to realise they play a role in kids' behaviour](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/5Qn-QqLWO1726033180477/PARENTS-NEED-TO-REALISE-THEY-PLAY-A-ROLE-IN-KIDS-BEHAVIOUR.jpg)
Parents need to realise they play a role in kids' behaviour
We appear to be living in dark days for British children. Last month, a report by The Children's Society suggested that kids in the UK faced a \"happiness recession\".
![Jeremy Kyle and shows like it demonised working class](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1828615/9gj7mDIxi1726033096727/JEREMY-KYLE-AND-SHOWS-LIKE-IT-DEMONISED-WORKING-CLASS.jpg)
Jeremy Kyle and shows like it demonised working class
In 2019, Steve Dymond appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show, taking a lie detector test to prove to his ex-fiancee Jane Callaghan that he had not cheated on her. A week later, the 63-year-old was found dead at his Portsmouth home.