Chancellor's response to Q1 GDP stats

Chancellor Rishi Sunak responsded to the ONS Q1 GDP stats release.

He said:

“Despite a difficult start to this year, economic growth in March is a promising sign of things to come.

“Our Plan for Jobs is working – following the comprehensive package we put in place, almost 2 million fewer people are expected to be out of work than initially forecast, and the UK economy is in a strong position to grow quickly as we emerge from the pandemic.

“Even with this positive news, we know that many businesses and people still need our help, and that’s why I want to reassure everyone today that our Plan for Jobs will continue to create, support and protect jobs in the coming months. We have extended the self-employed and furlough schemes until September whilst schemes like Kickstart are already helping to create thousands of new jobs for young people.

“As we cautiously reopen the economy, I will continue to take all the steps necessary to support our recovery.”