Surprise growth boost for Labour as GDP rises by 0.4% in May

The new chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has promised to reboot the economy. Photograph: Justin Tallis/PA

The UK economy returned to growth in May after a washout month in April when activity flatlined, resuming the recovery from last year’s recession.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show gross domestic product rose by 0.4% month on month, double what City economists had forecast, after recording zero growth in April when wet weather hit consumer spending.