Economy on track for return to growth as retail sales in Great Britain rise

Retail sales in Great Britain increased by 1.2% in February, the Office for National Statistics says. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

Britain’s economy is on track for a return to growth in the first three months of the year after a jump in retail sales and signs of sustained activity in the private sector this month.

New business booked by service sector companies rose at the sharpest pace for 12 months in March, amid rising confidence among firms and resilient consumer demand.