UK facing worst slowdown since aftermath of financial crisis

THE Welsh Liberal Democrats have responded to GDP figures which show the UK has had the lowest 12-month growth for 7 years.

Today’s official figures showed the economy in November was only 0.6% larger than a year before.

This is the weakest growth since June 2012 and means output in November shrank by 0.3%, this is the greatest fall since April.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented:

“Today’s GDP figures make for grim reading for the Welsh economy. Despite numerous claims our economy is thriving, these numbers paint a totally different picture. Our economy is shrinking as the reality of Brexit bites.

“Boris Johnson made a lot of promises to the people of Wales during the general election. He must now show he plans to deliver on these promises by delivering the investment Wales deserves.

“He can start by using his first budget to ensure the Welsh Government gets the resources it needs to properly fund our public services. Alongside providing funding for a truly transformational Mid Wales Growth Deal and for the Swansea Tidal Lagoon.”

Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

“The UK’s economy is suffering from the worst slowdown since the aftermath of the financial crisis, yet Boris Johnson has no plan to turn this around.

“Businesses looking for certainty about the Conservatives’ economic policies won’t find any with Boris Johnson who seems to make it up as he goes along.

“Johnson’s insistence on a hard Brexit and his willingness to keep a no-deal Brexit is a major cause of this shockingly poor economic performance.

“Liberal Democrats will challenge Johnson and the Conservatives on behalf of workers and business across the UK who know they are being let down badly.”