UK growth ‘set to beat EU average’

A SLOW economic recovery is in sight across Europe, with the UK in line for 1.7 per cent growth next year, compared with an EU average of 1.3 per cent, according to the European Commission

Its spring economic forecast described UK growth as “likely to remain subdued this year but with a brighter outlook”.

The document, analysing the economic data for all 27 member states, said of the UK: “The overall outlook for 2012 remains uncertain but, with an anticipation of stronger real wages improving household consumption growth towards the end of the year and more stability in the UK’s export markets, GDP growth is expected to remain positive at 0.5 per cent in 2012 with a further improvement in 2013.”