UK GDP slows to 0.3% - McDonnell responds

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to figures showing that UK GDP slowed to 0.3% in the three months to May, said:

“In the face of a do-nothing Government and potential Tory prime ministers making reckless promises, growth continues to slow.

“This is what nine years of Tory governments will be remembered for: brutal austerity, insecure work and low pay, and incompetent economic management.

“More than ever it’s time for a general election and a Labour Government, which will invest to grow our economy and deliver real transformation in the lives of people.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

• ·       The ONS notes that growth in the construction sector was entirely flat in the three months to May 2019:https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/may2019.
• ·       The information and communication sector, key for technological development, fell in May 2019, according to the Index of Services: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/bulletins/indexofservices/may2019
• ·       The ONS also commented on a “strong fall” and “significant decrease” in production of transport equipment, which fell by 4.6% in the three months to May. This is noted in the Index of Production: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/bulletins/indexofproduction/may2019
• ·       ONS GDP release available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/may2019.