The economic outlook ahead remains deeply uncertain – our reaction to the latest GDP figures

Growth Commission member Ewen Stewart has issued the following response to the GDP figures for the three months to April 2026 that have been issued this morning:

“While welcoming GDP growth of 0.7% for the three months to April, there are signs of a slowdown with monthly real GDP estimated to have fallen by 0.1% for the month of April – the first fall since August 2025.

“Services have grown and today’s numbers were aided by a bounceback on construction after a period of weakness, but the outlook ahead is deeply uncertain, not least due to a weakening labour market.

“The uncertain international outlook caused by the war in Iran has compounded poor economic choices at home. The Government urgently ought to change direction on two fronts in particular. It needs to undo the harm now being caused by the Employment Rights Act and also focus on liberalising the energy market in order to mitigate the impact of the UK’s lack of energy efficiency.”