UK economy grew more than expected in February

The United Kingdom’s economy grew more than expected in February and Exports to the United States increased by £ 500 million as companies rushed to overcome US tariffs.

The economy expanded by 0.5%, and the services sector had a strong month, said the National Statistics Office (ENS).

Hhan’s best -expected figures occur when the United Kingdom’s economy prepares for the impact of tariffs imposed on imported goods to the United States, and analysts warn that growth could be short.

Tariffs on steel and aluminum entered into force on March 12, while a 10% rate on other goods entered into force this week.

Exports of goods from the United Kingdom to the United States increased for the third consecutive month and are now at the highest level since November 2022, said the ONS.

“There are clear signs that the companies of the United Kingdom increased exports from goods to the United States before the introduction of tariffs,” said William Bain, head of trade policy of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

“The data during the last three months show a 23% increase in the value of the goods that flow from the United Kingdom through the Atlantic,” Bain said.

Economists had predicted the growth of the United Kingdom of only 0.1% in February, but ours said that several factors contributed to the surprise increase that was driven by an impulse in manufacturing and production.

The government has grow The United Kingdom economy His main priority in his effort to improve the standard of living.

Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said that the surprise growth of February was due to computer programming, telecommunications and car dealers in the service sector that have “strong months.”

He added that manufacturing, electronic and pharmaceutical companies performed well, and the car manufacturing industry also collected after “their recent low performance.”

Foreign Minister Rachel Reeves described the latest growth figures as an “encouraging signal”, but added that the government “was not complacent.”

“We must go more and faster to start economic growth, provide security to working people and put more money in their pockets,” he added.

The United Kingdom is subject to the 10% blanket rate that almost all its assets bring the US, which is expected to affect British exporters and also affect economic growth.

Mr. Bain of the BCC said that ensuring an agreement with the US. And eliminate commercial barriers with the EU would be “key to cushion the negative impacts of the new US rates. UU.”

Speaking to journalists, Reeves said: “We must continually get involved with our counterparts in the United States and, of course, we want to ensure the best possible treatment for British jobs and the British industry and we are absolutely entitled and resolved to do Wee,”

Together with the best expected growth, the United States reviewed its figure for January of a contraction or 0.1% to no growth.

Monthly figures alone can be volatile, so they should be tasks in context. The most stable average from three months to February shows that growth has increased 0.6%.

This would have a normal growth of bone consultations a decade ago, but it has elusive bone in recent years.

However, he suggests that recently talking about a recession has been out of the brand.

But the February figure advances to the impact of tax increases on companies and increases in energy and water in the economy, along with US tariffs.

Ruth Gregory, deputy director of the United Kingdom, said “surprisingly strongly strong growth in the United Kingdom will be short -lived, as rates and taxes increase.”

“The general panorama is that the economy has grown in just four of the last nine months and it is difficult to see that the economy is strengthened a lot from here,” he said.

While there is recognition that the uncertainty of American tariffs raises threats to the economy, some experts believe they can also create opportunities for a United Kingdom as a stable and growing economy friendly with trade.

Mitchell Barnes direct a 3D printing company in Warwickshire, designing and manufacturing pieces for the automotive industry.

Half of the pieces made here are exported to the US.

But instead of Trump’s rates, he says that it is the national factors that are reaching their business.

Barnes says that this month’s changes to national insurance contributions and the minimum wage means that you may need to rethink your plan to create new jobs on the site.

He had hoped to increase his number of personnel from 27 to 100 in the next 18 months, but now he has reduced it to Betsewen 30 to 40.

The business now seeks to accelerate plans to expand in the United States instead of. “Ultimately, for us, it is innovation to control Somn’s fate.”

Additional Adam Woods reports