UNION leaders called today for an ambitious plan for economic growth following 14 years of Tory stagnation.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.4 per cent in May, following no growth in April and higher than the 0.2 per cent growth predicted.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the growth was welcome but annual growth of 1 per cent “remains well below our country’s potential.”

The union body’s analysis last month showed that annual growth has averaged just 1.5 per cent since 2010, making it the worst performance for a government since the great depression.

Mr Nowak said: “Fourteen years of Tory stagnation has been terrible for living standards.

“We need an ambitious plan for growth and a laser focus on securing and creating well-paid jobs.

“Getting our economy back in the fast lane won’t be an overnight job. But taking the right action now will make a real difference.

“In addition to boosting green investment and getting Britain building again, we also have to invest in our crumbling public services.

“And Labour’s commitment to higher employment standards can play a vital role in driving up productivity and making work pay.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the increase was “so important after the last few years of flatlining economy,” but added that “there’s a huge amount of work to be done.”

She said: “Delivering economic growth is our national mission, and we don’t have a minute to waste.

“A decade of national renewal has begun, and we are just getting started.”