UK economy ground to halt even before Iran war energy shock

Britain’s economy stagnated unexpectedly in January after weak growth in the preceding months, according to official data, which showed a loss of momentum even before the war in Iran that is likely to be a further drag.

Gross domestic product has been essentially flat since June, the figures from the Office for National Statistics showed on Friday, despite promises by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and finance minister Rachel Reeves to speed up the economy.

GDP showed zero growth in January...