{"id":3413,"date":"2025-08-14T16:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/uk-economy-slows-less-feared\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T07:15:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T03:15:26","slug":"uk-economy-slows-less-feared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/uk-economy-slows-less-feared\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Economy Slows Less Than Expected: What It Means for Investors and Businesses in Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitv3sogw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hitv3soga{display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,system-ui,sans-serif;position:relative;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#111118 0%,#080808 100%);border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:14px;gap:20px;padding:20px 40px;transition:border-color .2s}\r\n.hitv3soga:hover{border-color:#dc262688}\r\n.hitv3sogg1{position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 0%,rgba(220,38,38,0.35),transparent 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solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitv3sog-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OMAN OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogh\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Websites For <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Omani Businesses.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogs\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Empower your brand with custom digital solutions designed for high conversion and market dominance.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbl\"><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Responsive designs built for growth<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Fast loading with smart automation<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitv3sogbtn\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Build Your Free Website <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>LONDON \u2013 Britain\u2019s economy exceeded expectations in the second quarter, demonstrating resilience amid the challenges posed by US tariffs and an increased UK business tax, according to official data released on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.3% between April and June, surpassing analysts\u2019 forecasts of just 0.1% growth. This follows a robust 0.7% expansion in the first quarter.<\/p>\n<p>Finance Minister Rachel Reeves described the figures as \u201cpositive,\u201d highlighting a strong start to the year and continued growth in the second quarter. However, she emphasized that \u201cmore needs to be done to deliver an economy that works for working people,\u201d reflecting ongoing struggles to achieve significant growth during the Labour government\u2019s first year in power.<\/p>\n<p>The ONS data indicated that growth in the UK\u2019s construction and services sectors helped counterbalance a decline in production. Liz McKeown, ONS Director of Economic Statistics, noted that the growth was driven chiefly by services, including computer programming, healthcare, and vehicle leasing.<\/p>\n<p>June saw a 0.4% increase in GDP following slight contractions in April and May, a development welcomed by analysts. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented that the June growth would be \u201cwelcome news for the government, which has had a frustrating time chasing elusive growth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, official figures released on Wednesday revealed UK unemployment reached a four-year high of 4.7% in the second quarter. This rise coincided with two major developments in April: an increase in the UK business tax under Prime Minister Keir Starmer\u2019s government and the imposition of a 10% baseline tariff by the US on most British goods, introduced by former President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>In May, London and Washington reached an agreement to reduce tariffs exceeding 10% on certain UK-made products imported by the US, particularly vehicles. Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, remarked that \u201ca favourable trade agreement has enabled output to pick up again,\u201d noting June\u2019s growth across all sectors, including manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this recovery, UK goods exports to the US in June fell by \u00a3700 million ($950 million), marking the lowest level since February 2022. The ONS observed that the \u201cvalue of goods exports to the United States has remained relatively low since the introduction of tariffs in April.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In response to these threats to growth from US tariffs, the Bank of England last week reduced its key interest rate by a quarter point to 4%. Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics, warned that the weak global economy will continue to hamper UK GDP growth, noting that the full impact of April\u2019s tax increases on business investment has yet to be realized. She also highlighted that ongoing speculation about further tax hikes in the autumn budget is likely to temper consumer confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Streeter added that \u201cevidence of a more resilient economy may mean that Bank of England policymakers are more cautious about cutting interest rates in the months ahead.\u201d \u2014 AFP<\/p>\n<p><style>\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes 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solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitl8gak-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakh\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Your Website <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Should Sell.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gaks\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Custom-built websites with smart automation & AI-powered features.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbl\"><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>SEO-optimized & lightning fast<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Smart features built for your business<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitl8gakbtn\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Get Free Consultation <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman&#8217;s Market<\/p>\n<p>The UK&#8217;s better-than-expected Q2 growth despite US tariffs and higher business taxes highlights <strong>resilience in service-led sectors and strategic trade negotiations<\/strong>. For Omani businesses, this underscores the importance of <strong>diversifying trade partnerships and focusing on service innovation<\/strong> amid global uncertainties. Smart investors should <strong>monitor evolving trade policies and sectoral shifts in major economies like the UK<\/strong> to identify new opportunities and hedge against geopolitical risks.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Britain&#8217;s economy grew 0.3% in Q2, beating forecasts despite US tariffs and higher UK business tax. Growth was led by services like computer programming and vehicle leasing. June saw 0.4% GDP growth, aided by a trade deal with the US reducing levies on UK goods.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3414,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[482],"tags":[860,360,1096],"class_list":["post-3413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-gdp-growth","tag-uk-economy","tag-us-tariffs"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3099676.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3413"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3415,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3413\/revisions\/3415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}