GDP Sees 0.1% Growth in Q4, Boosted by Services Sector
The UK economy avoided falling into recession as it experienced growth in the fourth quarter of last year. This growth was supported by a surge in business for travel agents and government assistance for increasing energy bills.
Q3 Contraction Smaller Than Initially Estimated
Economic output rose by 0.1% in Q4, following a 0.1% shrinkage in Q3, a smaller contraction than previously reported. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) initially stated no growth for the fourth quarter. A recession would have occurred if there were two consecutive quarters of contraction.
UK Economy Remains 0.6% Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
Despite the positive data, the British economy remained 0.6% below its late 2019 levels, making it the only G7 economy not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The dominant services sector grew by 0.1%, with travel agents seeing an almost 11% increase.
Manufacturing and Construction Sectors Show Growth
Manufacturing experienced a 0.5% growth, driven by the pharmaceutical sector, while construction saw a 1.3% increase. The government's energy bill support scheme boosted household savings, raising the saving ratio to 9.3% of disposable income compared to 5.6% before the pandemic.
IMF Predicts UK Economy Shrinkage in 2023
In January, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that the UK would be the only G7 economy to shrink in 2023, partly due to an inflation rate above 10%. However, recent economic data has been more robust than expected.
Analysts Anticipate Recession in 2023
Despite the upward revisions to GDP figures for Q3 and Q4, analysts still expect the UK economy to slip into recession in 2023 as the effects of high inflation continue to impact the economy.
Business Investment Declines Amid Household Resilience
While households showed resilience, businesses remained cautious. Business investment fell 0.2% quarterly, a significant downgrade from the initial estimate of a 4.8% rise. The ONS attributed this revision to changes in seasonal adjustment calculations.
Outlook Improves, but Contraction Expected for 2023
The outlook for the UK economy has improved due to declining international energy prices and a strong job market. However, most analysts still predict an overall contraction in 2023, with the possibility of the situation worsening if global banking turmoil causes lenders to reduce loans.
