Here’s our full story on the UK GDP data:
UK households faced a renewed cost of living squeeze in the first three months of 2025 amid increases in taxes and inflation, official figures show, despite the economy growing at the fastest rate in the G7.
The Office for National Statistics said an important measure of living standards – real household disposable income per head – fell by 1% in the first quarter after growth of 1.8% in the final three months of 2024, in the first quarterly decline for almost two years.
The households’ saving ratio – which estimates the percentage of disposable income Britons save rather than spend – slumped by 1.1 percentage points to 10.9%, although this remains historically high.
The signs of a fresh hit to living standards come despite the latest snapshot confirming that the UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter, the fastest rate in the G7 group of rich nations.
Liz McKeown, the ONS director of economic statistics, said:
The saving ratio fell for the first time in two years this quarter, as rising costs for items such as fuel, rent and restaurant meals contributed to higher spending, although it remains relatively strong.
Ministers had welcomed the initial first-quarter growth estimate as evidence that Labour’s economic policies were starting to bear fruit after a rocky first few months in office. However, the more detailed snapshot highlights the squeeze on living standards, which risks undermining Keir Starmer’s promise for households to feel the benefits.
