GREEN investment is key to getting the economy firing on all cylinders, the TUC said after figures today revealed a second consecutive quarter of GDP growth.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.6 per cent between April and June.

It came after 0.7 per cent growth in the first quarter following a shallow recession over the second half of 2023.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the new government “must continue to act to get our economy back into the fast lane,” warning that recent output remains well below Britain’s potential.

With the economy only expanding 0.9 per cent across the last 12 months and consumer demand only up 0.2 per cent in the last quarter, he said: “The government’s new investment in green industry will help drive growth by revitalising UK manufacturing.

“And plans to rebuild public services with more teachers and health workers will strengthen our economy. 

“Plans to boost workers’ rights will help get our economy back on track too. It will be a driver for higher productivity and higher wages.

“And when workers have more money to spend, businesses and services have the customers they need to grow.”

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “Growth across the three months was led by the service sector, where scientific research, the IT industry and legal services all did well.

“In June growth was flat with services falling, due to a weak month for health, retailing and wholesaling, offset by widespread growth in manufacturing.”

Some industries also saw pressure linked to strike action by junior doctors and the Screen Actors Guild union in the US over the month.