More gloom from CBI

THE economy will grow just 1.4pc this year due to bad weather, says the Confederation of British Industry.

Economists at the group have revised down their estimate for expansion by 0.1 percentage points because of the blizzards which battered Britain in February and March.

Less money was spent as consumers stayed at home and workers struggled to reach the office.

But growth in 2019 is forecast to be 1.3pc. The Europhile organisation said uncertainty over Brexit is damaging investment, although the economy has seen growth continue.

Chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said: ‘Britain now finds itself in the slow lane for growth.’