TORY ministers are holding back growth and damaging the economy by suppressing key workers’ pay, unions said today, after official figures showed stalling economic activity. 

Britain’s gross domestic product (GDP) failed to build on a surprise 0.4 per cent increase in January by recording zero growth in February, the Office for National Statistics confirmed.

The independent public body said a rise in construction and retail activity had been offset by teachers and civil servants downing tools nationwide.