Speaking to the BBC, the chancellor said growth was the “number one mission” of the government, and she wanted “growth to be stronger and to be felt by families across the United Kingdom”.
Reeves had been accused of talking down the economy ahead of the Budget, but asked if her comments had affected spirits, she said: “We’ve had barely any growth in the UK economy for more than a decade now.”
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said growth had now “slowed significantly” due to Labour’s policies.
“Labour made a lot of promises about growth in the election, they need to act now before their broken promises lead to yet more tax rises.”
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper called the growth figures “disappointing”, adding tax rises announced in the Budget “could be the final nail in the coffin for the many small businesses that are already struggling”.
