Britain's Economic Rebound Stalls in April, Casting Doubts on Sunak's Leadership

A swift economic rebound in Britain came to a halt in April, driven by declines in industrial and construction output. This poses challenges for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of the July 4 election. GDP was flat, showing no growth, contrary to earlier expectations. Labour market data revealed falling employment and rising unemployment, despite strong wage growth.

A swift rebound in Britain's economy in early 2024 came to a halt in April, driven by sharp declines in industrial and construction output in another challenging set of data for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of the July 4 election.

Gross domestic product was flat in April after a 0.4% month-on-month rise in March, the Office for National Statistics said. A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to no growth for monthly gross domestic product in April.

The figures follow labour market data on Tuesday that showed falling employment and rising unemployment, but continued strong wage growth. Rachel Reeves, who stands to become finance minister if the opposition Labour Party wins the election, sought to use the data to attack one of Sunak's main election campaign messages.

"Rishi Sunak claims we have turned a corner, but the economy has stalled and there is no growth," she said immediately after the figures were published.

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