UK economy close to turning point on eve of leaving EU

Confidence rising three and a half years after Brexit vote but tight timescale for trade deal could harm recovery

• How has Brexit vote affected UK economy? January verdict
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Britain's economy is close to a turning point as the country prepares to formally leave the EU after almost half a century of membership, according to a Guardian analysis of economic news over the past month.

More than three and a half years after voting to leave, the UK will formally depart on Friday with the economy close to stalling point following repeated cliff-edge deadlines and intense political uncertainty over the country's future trading relationships with the EU and other countries.

Does 31 January change anything?