Economics / Markets

Follows 19% decline in first year of pandemic

12-month rate of 5.4% beats market expectation of 4.9%.

First year of growth since 2018

Fastest pace of growth since July 2019

Chasing returns 'not sensible appraoch'

Driven by rising household utility, clothing, and motor fuel prices

UK GDP rises by 2.1% in March amid partial reopening

Higher fuel, transport and clothing prices nudge rate higher

Six months' prep time

1.6% uptick in construction sector