//
A total of 35 economists were asked by Reuters to give their views on the matter, with the general consensus being that the economy expanded by 0.4 per cent in the final quarter of the year, with predictions of between 0.2 per cent and 0.9 per cent being made.
This would mean that expansion has returned following six consecutive quarters of contraction - something that may be welcomed by stock market traders - but the news agency noted that economists have a "poor track record" in predicting gross domestic product (GDP) data accurately.
Spencer Dale of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee said in December its is likely that the country's economy is "moving into a period of renewed expansion".
However, Reuters warned that it is possible a recent trend of upbeat survey indicators contradicting weaker GDP figures may have carried on into the final quarter of the year.
It added that unemployment has not been rising as quickly as expected, while household spending has increased.
Posted by Chris Weaver
