According to the ONS, the economy grew by 1.9% in 2013, its strongest rate since 2007. But growth in GDP for the fourth quarter slipped to 0.7%, down from 0.8% in the previous quarter. And economic output is still 1.3% below its 2008 first quarter level. Responding to the figures, George Osborne said: “These numbers are a boost for the economic security of hard-working people. It is more evidence that our long-term economic plan is working. But the job is not done, and it is clear that the biggest risk now to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that’s delivering jobs and a brighter economic future.” The UK’s service sector rose by 0.8% in the fourth quarter, the ONS said, matching its performance in the previous quarter. And the manufacturing sector grew 0.9%. But industrial production growth fell slightly from 0.8% to 0.7%. Construction fell by 0.3% in the quarter.

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