‘Feeble and fragile’ recovery in prospect

Britain is facing a “feeble and fragile” recovery, experts warned yesterday ahead of figures expected to confirm the economy has exited the longest double-dip recession since the 1950s.

Gross domestic product (GDP) – a broad measure for the total economy – is predicted by analysts to have grown 0.6 per cent between July and September, ending three consecutive quarters of declining output.

However, the bounce-back will be largely driven by one-off factors, such as clawed-back activity lost to the extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and a lift from the Olympics.

Economic indicators suggest the manufacturing and construction sectors remained weak, although services should deliver a robust performance.