Hopes of economic recovery boosted as UK GDP rises by 0.2% in January

Small monthly increase for January offers relief for government but country remains in technical recession

The chances of the UK quickly emerging from recession have been boosted after the release of official figures showing the economy grew by 0.2% in January.

The Office for National Statistics said national output – as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) – had increased for only the second time in the past seven months.