Chancellor response to IMF World Economic Outlook

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MPsaid: 

Conflict in the Middle East and Europe is hitting people in the UK and around the world.  

But Britain's economy is showing strong international resilience in the face of these challenges: we're forecast to be the joint second fastest growing G7 nation in 2026 and have the lowest deficit in the G7 by 2031 

This week I will meet international finance ministers in Bangkok to discuss how we limit the impact of the conflicts on people and businesses, while maintaining strong fiscal discipline. 

We are determined to drive good growth in every postcode, provide some breathing space for today, and fresh hope for the future. 

Notes to editors

On background: 

The IMF have forecast that the UK will have the lowest fiscal deficit in the G7 in 2031

They also forecast that the UK will be the joint second fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2026 (behind the US and with Germany).