New blow for UKs Starmer as growth data disappoints [Video]

Britain’s economy grew less than initially estimated in the second quarter, revised official data revealed Monday, dealing another early blow to new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour government.

Gross domestic product (GDP) was 0.5 percent in the April-June period, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement, while economists expected it to have remained at 0.6-percent expansion.

Britain’s Labour government has made growing the UK economy a priority after winning national elections at the start of July, but has been knocked off course during its first few months in office by strained economic data and highly-controversial decisions taken by Starmer.

Britain’s economy had grown 0.7 percent in the first quarter following a shallow and short-lived recession in the second half of last year.

However, UK inflation remains above the Bank of England’s target rate, slowing its journey to cutting interest rates.

Recent data has also showed Britain’s …