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UK may exit a shallow recession, but GDP figures can't hide deeper problems

The latest figures show UK GDP grew 0.2 per cent between December and January, in a welcome return to growth

The fragility of the UK’s economic growth was clear from the latest GDP data, with output down by 0.3 per cent compared to 12 months ago. Picture: Getty Images

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are fond of saying that the UK government's plan is working, albeit slowly. But while the latest figures showing GDP grew 0.2 per cent between December and January suggests the recession last year will prove "shallow", it is hard to deny the country still finds itself in a hole.

Just as the chancellor's tax-cutting Budget last week failed to move the dial for Tory MPs, on the financial markets sterling barely budged ...