UK economy returns to growth as spending in pubs lifts output

GDP rose by 0.2% in April, with rising car sales and reduced impact of strikes also playing a part

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The UK economy returned to growth in April as rising car sales and customers spending in pubs and bars helped output to recover from a wave of public sector strikes in the previous month.

The Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday that gross domestic product rose by 0.2% month on month, matching the forecasts of City economists for a recovery from March when output declined by 0.3%.