Rachel Reeveswith defence secretary John Healey.

Rachel Reeves has received an unexpected boost after the UK economy “grew strongly”.

The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP) was up 0.5% in February – much higher than the 0.1% expected by economists.

According to the ONS, there was “widespread growth across both services and manufacturing industries”.

The figures are welcome news for the embattled chancellor after GDP flatlined with zero growth in January.

They also come against a backdrop of increased economic uncertainty after Donald Trump slapped tariffs on all foreign imports to America.

Reeves said: “These growth figures are an encouraging sign, but we are not complacent. We must keep going further and faster.

“The world has changed, and we have witnessed that change in recent weeks. I know this is an anxious time for families who are worried about the cost of living and British businesses who are worried about what this change means for them.

“This government will remain........

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