The latest GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed quarterly growth for the first three months of the year hit 0.6%, after a poor start to the year with 0% stagnation recorded in January. Services and construction output both grew in Q1, by 0.3% and 1.5%, respectively, but this was partially offset by a 0.2% fall in production.

Services were the strongest contributor overall in the first quarter, up 0.8%, driven by information and communication up 1.7%, with strong performance from computer programming, consultancy and related activities up 3.0%, and publishing activities up 7.2%.