The NIESR said UK is on course to post zero growth in Q4, with 1.4% growth in 2019 as a whole. Recent surveys suggest that economic activity was little changed in December, though there is some evidence of an improvement in business sentiment after the election.
Dr Garry Young, Director of Macroeconomic Modelling and Forecasting, said: “The latest data confirm that economic growth in the United Kingdom had petered out at the end of last year. GDP was virtually flat in the three months to November and the latest surveys point to further stagnation in December. While there is some evidence of an improvement in business optimism following the general election, it is doubtful that this will do much to change the short-term economic outlook of further lacklustre growth.”