UNIONS demanded the Prime Minister put the “turbo boosters” on his reindustrialisation agenda as Office for National Statistics (ONS) data published yesterday revealed modest growth in June.

The TUC called for an independent “root-and-branch” review of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to block it from operating as a “straitjacket on growth.”

Britain’s economy outperformed expectations in June, after a boost from record hot weather and the World Cup helped offset the impacts of Iran war-related slow growth in the second quarter of the year.

ONS figures showed gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.4 per cent between April and June, down from 0.6 per cent in the first three months of the year.

Data showed growth of 0.3 per cent month-on-month in June, against expectations for a flat performance, following flat growth in May, revised down from 0.1 per cent growth previously estimated, and a 0.1 per cent contraction in April.

While TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the modest growth was “welcome,” he told Mr Burnham “to put the turbo boosters on his reindustrialisation agenda and ensure the country is getting the investment it needs.”

“That’s why we need to see root and branch reform of the OBR,” he said.

“For too long the OBR has acted as a straitjacket on growth, preventing the long-term investment necessary to deliver good jobs, boost living standards and fuel growth across the country.

“This has to change. A comprehensive fiscal commission should independently assess the OBR’s models and make sure it can support growth up and down the country.”

And the good news of slightly better-than-expected results followed concerns from Treasury experts who briefed the PM on Wednesday that the British economy is expected to barely grow next year.

They said GDP growth could be as low as 0.3 per cent in 2027 if disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz continue until the end of 2026, government sources said.

Chancellor John Healey claimed to be part of an “active, hands-on government” which was “putting British interests first — giving breathing space to those feeling the strain, making our country more resilient and bringing hope back.”