UK economy defies gloomy warnings to grow 0.7% in first quarter of year

GDP rise follows stronger levels of business investment as firms rushed to beat Donald Trump's tariffs

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The UK economy grew at the fastest pace in a year between January and March, defying warnings of a collapse in activity, as businesses scrambled to invest and export before Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.7% in the quarter, beating City predictions of a 0.6% rise and continuing an expansion after growth of 0.1% in the final three months of last year.