Wales was the only nation in the UK not to see growth in its economy in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, according to new data from the Office National Statistics.
In the three month period gross domestic product (GDP)was flat in Wales, while in England it was up 0.8%, Scotland 0.9% and Northern Ireland 0.6%. For the UK as whole growth in Q1 was 0.7%
The flat reading in Wales compared to growth of 0.6% in Q4 of 2021. Sectors in Wales that experienced contraction over the quarter included financial and insurance and transport and storage. Arts, entertainment and recreation experienced the biggest expansion at more than 10%.
All nine regions in England experienced growth in Q1 on Q4 of 2021 with the biggest rises experienced in the north east and the east Midlands up 1.2% and London 1.1%.
Compared to Q1, 2021, the Welsh economy grew 11.1%. GDP inScotland grew 12.8%, England 11.1% and Northern Ireland 7.7%.
The highest year-on-year growth in GDP was London at 14.4%, followed by Scotland, 12.8% and the north east 12.4% and the south west of England 11.3%. The lowest UK growth on the year was in the East Midlands at 7.5%.
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