UK economy flat in April – Data

Official data from the Office for National Statistics has indicated that the UK economy experienced zero growth in April.

This follows a 0.4 percent rise in March.

A Reuters survey of economists had predicted this stagnation, citing wet weather as a factor that adversely affected retail sales and construction.

The ONS report, the final GDP update before the election, noted that April’s rainfall was 155 percent above the long-term average.

The data also followed labour market data on Tuesday that showed falling employment and rising unemployment, but continued strong wage growth.