UK economy ‘steady as she goes’, but clouds hover eurozone, says CBI

The industry lobby group said job creation continues apace and wage growth is finally picking up, which coupled with low inflation will give a boost to real household incomes and help improve living standards.

Lower energy prices are also feeding through to lower operating costs for companies, leaving more space for investment.

The CBI’s brighter picture for growth this year of 2.7 per cent - from 2.5 per cent expected in November - also reflects the likelihood that the Bank of England won’t raise interest rates until early next year, helping to support growth of 2.6 per cent in 2016.

The CBI warned that political volatility, both domestic and foreign, continues as the UK general election approaches, Greece’s fiscal position remains in the spotlight and instability continues in Ukraine.

As a result, it said exporters are finding it harder to secure orders and net trade is unlikely to provide much of a boost to growth over the next two years.

Katja Hall, CBI deputy director-general, said: “UK growth continues to outshine its counterparts in Europe and progress is ‘steady as she goes’.

“While lower oil prices are keeping costs down for businesses and consumers, the North Sea oil companies are suffering, harming jobs and investment in the industry.

“Now is not the time for complacency, but falling unemployment coupled with improving wage growth and rock bottom inflation should mean that people see more money in their pockets.

“But businesses are looking on anxiously as insecurity continues to troll the Eurozone and instability remains elsewhere.”

Growth is expected to remain steady throughout this year, rising by 0.7 per cent each quarter.