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Official estimates indicated that the country's economy grew by 0.5 per cent during the first quarter of 2011, reversing the contraction of 0.5 per cent which occurred during the final quarter of 2010.
The statistics, which are subject to revision, suggested that the UK avoided a double-dip recession. It sparked a rally for sterling in the forex trading market, where the currency had fallen against the dollar for three consecutive days.
However, despite the government being positive about the GDP numbers, other groups have warned that they show the British economy is not in a good state.
Frances O'Grady, deputy general secretary of the TUC, commented: "Today's figures show that the UK's recovery has effectively stalled and our sluggish growth rate means we are now lagging way behind our international competitors."
Posted by Greg Secker
