Economic Statistics - unemployment, inflation, etc..

Growth

Growth (GNP) in the first quarter of 2012 was -0.4%. This was the second negative quarter, confirming return to recession. The outlook for 2012 is bleak.
2010 was 0.2% (annualised -0.1%). The government had expected the annual figure to be -0.3%, so it is encouraged by the export-driven growth in the final quarter, which helped escape recession. Expectations remain low of job-creating levels of growth this year. First impressions can be read from the BBC.
According to a BBC article (16 November '06), half of all growth over the previous 5 years was due to the contribution of immigrants. Likewise, as depression hit, many of these saw their jobs first in line for the chop, especially as building firms were hit. 900,000 new homes remained unsold at the end of 2009.