Economic Indicators, May 2013

Preliminary estimates suggest that GDP grew by 0.3% in Q1 2013, following a 0.3% contraction in Q4 2012. GDP remains 2.6% below its pre-recession level in Q1 2008.

Unemployment was 2.56 million and employment was 29.70 million in the quarter to February 2013.

Mid-April saw a sharp fall in the price of gold, signalling a cooling of investor sentiment in this important commodity market.