U.K. GDP growth strengthened to its fastest rate

In six years in Q1, climbing to +3.1% on year from +2.7% previously but coming in below expectations of +3.2%. On quarter, GDP grew 0.8%, with growth occurring in three out of the four main industrial groupings in the economy. However, GDP is still 0.6% below its peak in Q1 2008. The pound was flat at $1.6806 at the time of writing after being higher before the data was released.