Snails pace GDP growth puts the pressure on Osborne

GROWTH in the economy weakened in the first three months of this year, official figures have shown and it couldn’t come at a worse time for Chancellor George Osborne.

He will be facing criticism of his economic stewardship at the least opportune moment, with the election just over a week away.

The Office for National Statistics’ official estimate of activity showed the rate of UK GDP growth slowed from 0.6% to 0.3% in the first quarter of 2015.

Last year’s healthy growth has apparently lost momentum. Industrial production, construction and high street sales were weaker than expected.

Experts have been predicting between 0.4% and 0.3% growth for this quarter, but the ONS statistics have shown an even slower start than anticipated.