UK economy had fastest six months of growth in 7 years – shattering Labour’s claims they inherited a mess

THE UK economy had its fastest six months of growth in seven years, shattering Rachel Reeves’ claim that Labour inherited the worst mess in decades.

GDP was up 0.6 per cent in April to June on the back of a 0.7 increase in the first three months of the year — the best six-month performance since 2017.

But it comes amid a growing fallout over the Government’s decision to hand striking train drivers a pay rise with no strings attached.

Average pay for four days a week is set to rise to £69,000 with no reforms required.

Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately said: “A ‘no strings’ deal means this will be paid for by passengers and taxpayers. We have to make our railways more efficient — instead Labour has caved to the unions.”

The latest quarterly growth was led by the service sector, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Within this, there was particular growth in scientific research, the IT industry and legal services.

The services sector as a whole was 0.8 per cent larger for the quarter.

This offset a 0.1 per cent slump in industrial production and a similar contraction in construction, which both came under pressure from high borrowing costs and pre-election uncertainty.

Chancellor Ms Reeves said yesterday the Government was still faced with a challenge “after more than a decade of low economic growth”.

But Shadow Minister Gareth Davies said: “Despite what they may be trying to claim, Labour have inherited a growing and resilient economy.

“They must not jeopardise this growth by raising taxes.”