Growth figures give boost to Reeves – but it’s too early to get carried away

While better-than-expected data for November offers hope for UK economy, clouds remain on the horizon

UK economy grew by better-than-expected despite budget uncertainty
Business live - latest updates
UK politics live - latest updates

At the end of last year, Rachel Reeves was under fire for the impact of budget speculation on Britain's economy. All of the noise about fiscal holes, tax increases and spending cuts before her late November budget was having a real-world effect on the spending decisions of households and businesses.

The latest official figures will therefore come as a boost for the chancellor. Britain's economy grew more strongly than expected in November, up 0.3%, despite the fog of uncertainty in the lead up to her critical tax and spending speech at the end of the month.