UK exports and business investment help second-quarter GDP growth

Exports and business investment helped the UK economy expand in the second quarter, according to official figures that confirmed a pickup in growth after a sluggish start to the year.

UK inflation rate turns positive

Transport costs helped the UK's inflation rate turn positive in May after one month of negative inflation. Inflation, as measured by Consumer Prices Index (CPI), rose to 0.1% in May, up from -0.1% in April.

David Cameron's next big battle - the EU referendum and a possible Brexit

As the City of London celebrates a Conservative victory, it must also face a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

UK manufacturing growth at 17-month low in September

The UK manufacturing sector grew at its slowest pace for 17 months in September as a result of the strong pound and eurozone weakness, a survey has said.

EU-US trade deal could add £10bn to UK economy a year, claims minister

The government has rebutted accusations that a vast free trade deal being negotiated between the EU and the US will act as a cover to privatise the NHS while also watering down food standards and banking regulations.

Self-employment in UK at highest level since records began

Britain's deepest postwar recession has led to record numbers of self-employed people, who are earning lower wages and working longer hours than other workers, a study suggests.

UK retailers had strongest quarter in more than 10 years from April to June

Britain's retailers enjoyed the strongest quarter in more than a decade between April and June, but consumers were less willing to spend towards the end of the period, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Household debt serious threat to UK recovery, says Bank of England deputy

The Bank of England deputy governor, Sir Jon Cunliffe, has warned that household debt is a key risk to the UK recovery and said the Bank's new measures to rein in the housing market should be thought of as insurance against a major crash.

George Osborne concedes rising house prices threaten UK economy

George Osborne has conceded that the housing market remains a threat to the recovery following comments by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its appraisal of the UK economy.

UK services sector expands by more than expected in May

The UK's dominant services sector grew at a faster rate than expected in May, while employment in the sector stayed at a 17-year high recorded in April, a survey has shown.

Bank of England director defends QE and low interest rates

Britain would be a significantly poorer country without deep cuts in interest rates and the Bank of England's emergency injection of £375bn into the economy through its controversial quantitative easing (QE) programme, one of the Bank's leading policy makers has said.

IMF: UK economic growth to reach 2.9% in 2014

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the UK economy will be the fastest-growing in the G7 this year. It says the UK will grow 2.9% in 2014, up from a January estimate of 2.4%, and will see growth of 2.5% in 2015.

Consumer borrowing grows at fastest rate since 2008 crash

The Bank of England has admitted to an error in its data and said consumer borrowing has been growing at its fastest rate since before the financial crisis five years ago.

UK services growth reaches 16-year high

Activity in the UK services sector grew at its fastest pace since 1997 in the third quarter of the year, a closely-watched survey has indicated.

UK retail sales sees strong rise in May

UK retail sales recorded a larger-than-expected rise last month, helped by a strong increase in food sales.

George Osborne warns Bank of England over economic recovery plans

George Osborne has warned the Bank of England that it risks derailing Britain's fragile economy if it uses tough new financial watchdog powers to clamp down too hard on the City.

UK services sector grew in January

The UK's services sector grew at its fastest pace for five months in January, raising hopes that the economy will avoid falling back into recession.

UK growth muted as outlook for OECD improves

The UK’s recovery is losing pace, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), underlining the pressure on the Chancellor ahead of next week’s Budget.

UK manufacturing expands for second month

UK manufacturing had an promising start to the year, with activity expanding for a second month in a row in January and output growing at the fastest pace since September 2011 despite the snow.

IMF's Olivier Blanchard: Time for UK to consider Plan B

The IMF chief economist has told the BBC that Chancellor George Osborne should consider slowing down austerity measures in his March budget.