Lacklustre December helps push GDP growth to 0.5% in Q1

The ONS said strengthened growth in the first three months of 2019 was "in part due" to the 0.3% GDP decline in December, "which makes the current period look stronger in comparison". Notably, GDP growth - to which lower oil prices also contributed - was boosted by an increase in household consumption and business investment. Private consumption, government consumption and gross capital formation also contributed positively, while net trade subtracted from GDP growth in the first quarter. UK GDP growth falls to six-month low Production output increased by 1.4% in the first quart...