TORY Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is “asleep at the wheel while our economy is going nowhere,” the TUC warned today after new figures showed no end in sight for Britain’s stagnant growth.

Good weather in June led to a surprise 0.5 per cent boost to gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), but the second quarter of the year saw economic growth of just 0.2 per cent overall. 

The lacklustre performance followed growth rates of just 0.1 per cent in the first three months of 2023, as the country continues to struggle with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, war in Europe and more than a decade of government-enforced austerity.

ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said the economy had “bounced back” from May’s extra bank holiday marking the coronation of Charles Windsor to record “strong growth in June.

“Manufacturing saw a particularly strong month with both cars and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry seeing particularly buoyant growth,” he said.

“Services also had a strong month with publishing, car sales and legal services all doing well.

“Construction also grew strongly, as did pubs and restaurants, with both aided by the hot weather.”

But TUC general secretary Paul Nowak warned that stagnant growth overall “puts jobs at risk and holds down pay and conditions for those who remain in work.   

“The Chancellor must stop hiding behind the Bank of England and take responsibility for the serious economic failure unfolding on his watch,” he demanded.

“Around the world, other countries are delivering far higher investment and stronger protections for workers, while asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay a fairer share – there is no reason why the UK can’t follow suit. 

“After 13 years of Conservative government, the high pay, high productivity economy we all desperately need remains out of reach.”

Mr Nowak urged Whitehall to “take responsibility and act instead of sitting back and hoping for the best.”

Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves blasted the lack of any real economic growth, saying it is “still on the floor.

“Years of economic mismanagement under the Conservatives has left Britain worse off and trapped in a low growth, high tax cycle,” she said.

The Leeds West MP claimed that her party’s economic plans will “boost growth, increase wages and bring down bills.”