Chancellor warns of 'dangerous cocktail of risks' as UK growth revised down

OBR forecasts 2% growth in 2016

Daniel Flynn
clock • 1 min read

The UK's GDP growth target for 2016 has been revised down to 2% by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in today's Budget, from its November target of 2.4%.

Chancellor George Osborne said growth has been revised down due to a "materially weaker" outlook for the country as uncertainty approaches in the months preceding June's EU referendum, adding he has chosen "sound public finances to deliver security". "We can choose to add to risk and uncertainty. We choose to put suitability first. We can lead the world with long term solutions to long term problems. We choose to put the next generation first," he said. "Financial market turbulence and low productivity make for a dangerous cocktail of risks, but one that Britain is well prepared to ha...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

UK ups defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 as billions pledged

UK ups defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 as billions pledged

Chancellor delivered Spending Review

Sorin Dojan
clock 11 June 2025 • 4 min read
Chancellor to pledge billions to 'invest in Britain's renewal' in Spending Review

Chancellor to pledge billions to 'invest in Britain's renewal' in Spending Review

Rachel Reeves to unveil Spending Review later today

Linus Uhlig
clock 11 June 2025 • 1 min read
Five years on from Covid: What's next for markets?

Five years on from Covid: What's next for markets?

It is now five years since the start of the UK’s Covid lockdown. Since then, we have seen considerable market and geopolitical-related change. Here, William Marshall looks back over the past five years and also explores what we might expect from markets...

William Marshall
clock 06 May 2025 • 4 min read