BBC News

UK economy sees surprise growth in March despite Iran war

The Wall Street Journal

U K Economy Accelerated At Start Of Year 7C70878B

Guardian

UK economy records surprise 0.3% growth in first month of the Iran war

Financial Reporter

Higher-than-expected GDP growth offers relief, 'but risks loom large'

Sky News

Uk Economy Unexpectedly Grew As Iran War Began New Gdp Figures Show 13543814

Global Banking and Finance

UK Economy Shows Surprise Growth of 0.3% in March, Beating Forecasts

Independent

Boost for Reeves as GDP shows 0.6% growth despite Iran war crisis

The Times

Verifying Device

CNBC

UK grows 0.6% in the first quarter  before the Iran war really started to hit global economy

The Standard

Rachel Reeves pleads with Labour MPs not to topple Keir Starmer after surprise 0.6% jump in GDP

There are reasons to be cheerful about UK plc in 2026. Here are four | Heather Stewart

afneil

MacrostrategyP

The Telegraph

John Caudwell Labour Backer Rachel Reeves Economy Destroy

Metaculus

Will the UK achieve an average annual GDP growth rate of 2.5% over the current parliamentary term?

Ben Riley-Smith

Goldman Sachs

KPMG

Naomi Smith

Robert Colvile

UK Trade & Business Commission

Sharon Graham

Office for Budget Responsibility

"Today's #GDP growth figures are still a long way from @Keir_Starmer's target of 2.5% and it is far from clear that we are heading in the right direction."

"Labour are promising to be the fastest-growing country in the G7. And our growth forecast is 2% or less every single year of this parliament? Yeah, good luck with that."

"The economy is expected to grow by just over 1 per cent this year, rising to 2 per cent in 2025."

Research shows that "deep alignment with the EU on goods and services will deliver 2.2% economic growth to the UK."

"Closer ties with the EU could deliver growth of up to 2.2%. Clawing back up to half the damage caused by Brexit."

Will the UK Economy Grow By 2% GDP In a Year Under Labour?

The UK economy grew 0.3% in March 2026, defying forecasts of a 0.2% contraction, according to the Office for National Statistics. GDP expanded 0.6% across the first quarter — the strongest quarterly growth in a year.

The UK economy grew 0.3% in March 2026, defying forecasts of a 0.2% contraction, according to the Office for National Statistics. GDP expanded 0.6% across the first quarter — the strongest quarterly growth in a year.

The services sector, which accounts for more than three quarters of UK economic output, expanded 0.8% in the first quarter. Computer programming, advertising and wholesale were among the strongest performers, the ONS said.

The services sector, which accounts for more than three quarters of UK economic output, expanded 0.8% in the first quarter. Computer programming, advertising and wholesale were among the strongest performers, the ONS said.

On an annualized basis, UK GDP rose 2.6% in the first quarter, outpacing the U.S. expansion of 2.0%. The UK recorded the highest GDP growth of all G7 nations, though Japan had yet to release comparable data.

On an annualized basis, UK GDP rose 2.6% in the first quarter, outpacing the U.S. expansion of 2.0%. The UK recorded the highest GDP growth of all G7 nations, though Japan had yet to release comparable data.

Economists cautioned that some of the March growth may reflect front-loading, with businesses and consumers stockpiling goods and fuel ahead of expected supply shortages linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Economists cautioned that some of the March growth may reflect front-loading, with businesses and consumers stockpiling goods and fuel ahead of expected supply shortages linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The International Monetary Fund cut its 2026 UK growth forecast to 0.8% from 1.3% in April — the largest downgrade of any major developed economy — citing Britain's reliance on gas imports and expectations for fewer interest-rate cuts.

The International Monetary Fund cut its 2026 UK growth forecast to 0.8% from 1.3% in April — the largest downgrade of any major developed economy — citing Britain's reliance on gas imports and expectations for fewer interest-rate cuts.

KPMG chief economist Yael Selfin said the war's impact on the economy was "likely to show in the second quarter," while Capital Economics' Ruth Gregory said Q1 growth would be "the high point for the year."

KPMG chief economist Yael Selfin said the war's impact on the economy was "likely to show in the second quarter," while Capital Economics' Ruth Gregory said Q1 growth would be "the high point for the year."

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UK Elections: Economy

UK economy records surprise 0.3% growth in first month of the Iran war

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