Reeves ‘not satisfied’ as economic growth slows in third quarter
The Chancellor said she wanted growth to ‘be stronger, to come sooner’ after figures showed a slowdown between July and September.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she is “not satisfied” after official figures showed that economic growth slowed in the months after Labour won the election, and even contracted in September.
The UK economy grew by 0.1% between July and September, versus 0.5% growth in the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
It comes as a blow to Labour, which has made growth a key part of its pitch to the general public, a strategy which helped the party win by a landslide in July.
Ms Reeves said: “Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers.”
Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said some sectors like retail and construction performed well, but added: “Generally, growth was subdued across most industries in the latest quarter.”
The economy is estimated to have contracted by 0.1% in September. Several experts said the slowdown could have been down to companies holding back on spending decisions until after the Budget.
In the run-up, Ms Reeves repeatedly warned that the Budget would contain “tough choices”. The statement itself, in which Labour announced a rise in employer taxes to help fund a boost in public spending, came after the period covered by these figures.
Ben Jones, lead economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said uncertainty ahead of the Budget “probably played a big part”, after firms reported a slowdown in making spending decisions.
The services sector, which makes up the bulk of the economy, was flat in September, and grew by just 0.1% during the three-month period.
Factory output fell 0.2% over the quarter, driven by a larger decline in the month of September, while the construction sector grew 0.8% over the quarter.
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride blamed the Government for talking down the economy after winning the election, and said it was “reaping, to a degree, what they’ve done”. Mr Stride also pointed out that the Government had followed up with a Budget that ramped up taxes which “are going to bear down on growth”.
Sanjay Raja, chief UK economist at Deutsche Bank, said: “The road ahead remains bumpy.”
He warned that the tax rises could hit business spending further before Labour’s spending plans start having a positive impact early next year.
“We see growth picking up a touch towards year-end. And we still see positive momentum into 2025,” he said.
“But downside risks are brewing. Geopolitical risks are on the rise with the spectre of a trade war looming.”
Suren Thiru, economics director at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, said that despite the “downbeat” figures, another rate cut next month looks “improbable”.
The Bank has also forecast that the extra public spending will boost economic growth by 0.75 percentage points at its peak in a year’s time, relative to previous forecasts published in August.
