Autumn Statement 2013: Chancellor raises UK GDP forecasts

The UK's surprise economic recovery looks on course to continue as Chancellor George Osborne raised his forecast for UK growth over the next few years.

Delivering the Autumn Statement, Osborne raised GDP expectations for 2013 to 1.4%, well above the 0.6% predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in March. Looking further ahead, he also raised GDP forecasts for 2014 from 1.8% to 2.4%. However, 2015's forecast was revised down from 2.3% to 2.2%. Further out, he said 2016's 2.7% annual growth had been revised to 2.6%, while 2017's 2.8% forecast was cut to 2.7% Osborne said the UK was seeking a "responsible recovery" but said much more needed to be done. "Britain's economic plan is working but the job is not done,"...