Labour MP Torsten Bell has welcomed fresh economic figures showing the UK economy grew by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2026, arguing that Britain has proved considerably more resilient than many forecasters expected.
Commenting on the latest GDP figures on X, Bell said the economy’s strong start to the year had continued despite significant international pressures.
Bell wrote:
“UK economy has been far more resilient than the commentators/gloomsters/forecasters thought. Strong start to 2026 continues despite the headwinds of the Iran conflict – GDP growth of 0.4% in 2nd quarter. What matters most (gdp/capita) is also up 0.4%, and has risen 1% on the year.”
The figures follow a strong opening to 2026, with official ONS data previously showing the economy expanded by 0.8% in the first quarter.
Bell highlighted the performance of GDP per head, which he said grew by 0.4% during the second quarter following growth of 0.6% in the first three months of the year.
He argued that the performance was particularly significant when compared with previous forecasts, noting that the Office for Budget Responsibility had expected GDP per capita to grow by just 0.8% across the whole of 2026.
The Labour MP also pointed to signs of stronger investment, describing the UK’s long-running lack of investment as an economic weakness and highlighting growth in gross fixed capital formation during the second quarter.
The latest figures will be welcomed by Labour as the government seeks to demonstrate that its economic programme is delivering higher growth, investment and living standards.
They also come against a challenging international backdrop, with geopolitical instability and the Iran conflict creating additional uncertainty for businesses and the wider global economy.
Bell’s intervention sought to contrast the latest economic performance with the more pessimistic expectations surrounding the UK at the beginning of the year.
His assessment was clear: the economy has so far performed better than many expected, while growth in GDP per person suggests that the improvement is not simply the result of population growth.
With two consecutive quarters of expansion at the beginning of 2026, Labour will now be hoping the momentum can be sustained through the second half of the year.
