British economy slowing down

POLITICAL TURMOIL, BREXIT People feeling pinch from rising inflation, low wages.

Britain’s economy will slow in the coming years, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) business lobby warned yesterday, blaming domestic political turmoil – and the impact of Brexit one day after EU divorce talks began.

The economy will expand by 1.6% this year before slowing to 1.4% in 2018, according to upgraded forecasts from CBI, after 1.8% growth in 2016.

CBI, which is Britain’s biggest employers’ grouping, also cited fallout from this month’s inconclusive general election.

“The UK is expected to see steady but subdued economic growth over the next couple of years,” it said in a statement.

“The economy continues to face headwinds, with ongoing political uncertainty and Brexit negotiations, which will require careful navigation by business and the government.”

The latest growth forecasts marked upgrades from prior guidance of 1.3% and 1.1%, for 2017 and 2018 respectively.

“Growth should be steady, if restrained, over the next couple of years as the pace of the economy shifts down a gear,” added CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn.

“While the country’s exporters should emerge as a real catalyst of growth, rising inflation and stubbornly low wage growth mean that people are already starting to feel the pinch.

“So, after a frantic period in Westminster, this is the time for a renewed focus on the economic fundamentals of this country.”

Britain and the European Union finally kicked off formal Brexit talks in Brussels on Monday, vowing to work constructively for a deal despite disarray in London over whether to go for a “hard” or “soft” divorce.

Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly insisted that Britain will leave Europe’s single market, or tariff-free zone, in order to control EU immigration, thus delivering a socalled “hard” Brexit.

However, May’s position weakened this month as she failed to secure an absolute majority in the election – which the premier had called to strengthen her negotiating hand.

Meanwhile on Monday, five major British business bodies called in a letter to Economy Minister Greg Clark for continued access to the European single market until a Brexit agreement has been sealed.

The groups – comprising CBI, the British Chambers of Commerce, the EEF manufacturers’ organisation, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors – all urged the government to “put the economy first”. – AFP