UK Budget: 2013 growth forecast halved

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - Chancellor George Osborne presented the annual UK Budget Report today, indicating that in 2013 the economy would grow much more slowly than projected, by 0.6% instead of 1.2% forecasted four months ago. Nevertheless, he assured that a triple dip recession would be avoided.

Sacrifices would have to be made however, he stated, as there was no alternative to the austerity measures the implementation of which begun in 2010. “Our economic plan combines monetary activism with fiscal responsibility and supply-side reform,” the Chancellor explained. “And today we go further on all three components of that plan: monetary, fiscal and supply-side reform.”

The Treasury head also said that the UK government would need to borrow 59.8 billion pounds more than it was estimated four months ago.

As far as inflation is concerned, George Osborne revealed that the Bank of England would be allowed more elbow room in how quickly it brings inflation down to the 2% target, in case of deviating from track due to unforeseen blows to the economy.