Chancellor says UK is in ‘a stronger position’ to deal with the costs of the Iran war, and warns against putting economic stability at risk
Chancellor Rachel Reeves can be forgiven for tooting her own trumpet this morning, after the UK economy grew faster than forecast in March.
Following the news that GDP rose by 0.3% in March, and by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year, Reeves says:
Today’s strong growth figures show the Government has the right economic plan.
The choices I have made as Chancellor mean our economy is in a stronger position as we deal with the costs of the war in Iran.
The increase in monthly output in March 2026 came from increases in both new work, and repair and maintenance, which grew by 2.0% and 0.8%, respectively. At the sector level, the main contributor to the monthly increase was private housing new work, which grew by 2.8%.
