Commerce union Unite warns ‘households up and down the nation are getting poorer’ whereas Tories slam Chancellor for having no plan.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was dealt one other blow (Picture: Getty)
Rachel Reeves was accused of getting “no plan” to develop the economic system after the most recent figures confirmed progress of solely 0.1%. Tories stated the economic system was rising extra slowly than the inhabitants, that means output per particular person truly fell. And a number one commerce union stated family incomes have been falling. It got here after new information from the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) confirmed gross home product (GDP) rose by 0.1% within the fourth quarter, following progress of 0.1% within the earlier three months.
Sir Mel Stride, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, stated: “This morning’s information that the economic system grew by simply 0.1% within the last three months of final yr exhibits Labour’s decisions have weakened our economic system. The truth is, GDP per head has truly fallen for the second quarter in a row. These disappointing statistics present a Downing Avenue and a Treasury which have taken their eye off the ball.” Highlighting feedback made by Well being Secretary Wes Streeting, Sir Mel added: “Wes Streeting is correct to say Labour have ‘no progress technique’. They’re distracted by scandals of their very own making as Keir Starmer’s authority crumbles.”
Unite common secretary Sharon Graham stated: “Right now’s figures are additional proof that the UK economic system won’t get the expansion we have been promised till we reverse our historic ranges of under-investment.
“The figures additionally present that actual family disposable earnings fell in 2025. Households up and down the nation are getting poorer in actual phrases. We have to cease the rot and begin delivering for on a regular basis individuals.”
The ONS estimated that the economic system expanded by 0.1% in December, down from 0.2% in November.
The fourth-quarter figures point out the economic system grew by 1.3% general in 2025, up from 1.1% in 2024.
Liz McKeown, ONS director of financial statistics, stated: “The economic system continued to develop slowly within the final three months of the yr, with the expansion charge unchanged from the earlier quarter.
“The customarily-dominant providers sector confirmed no progress, with the primary driver as a substitute coming from manufacturing.
“Development, in the meantime, registered its worst efficiency in additional than 4 years.
“The speed of progress throughout 2025 as a complete was up barely on the earlier yr, with progress seen in all major sectors.”
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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves stated: “Because of the alternatives we’ve made, we’ve seen six rate of interest cuts because the election, inflation falling sooner than predicted, and ours is the quickest rising G7 economic system in Europe.
“The Authorities has the fitting financial plan to construct a stronger and safer economic system, chopping the price of residing, chopping the nationwide debt and creating the situations for progress and funding in each a part of the nation.”
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