UK GDP grows faster than expected as manufacturers prepare for Brexit

February posted 0.2% growth

The UK economy grew faster than expected in the three months to February, expanding by 0.3% as manufacturers across the country resorted to stockpiling in preparation for a hard Brexit.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said manufacturers had "changed the timing of their activities" as the deadline for leaving the EU looms. As a result, UK GDP increased more than the 0.2% forecast over the period, though Rob Kent-Smith, head of GDP at the ONS, said this figure "remained modest", the BBC reports. On a monthly measure, the economy grew by 0.2%, beating the forecasts of 0% growth in February. Kent-Smith said: "Services again drove the economy, with a continued strong performance in IT. Manufacturing also continued to recover after weakness at the end of last y...