Gordon Brown suffers blow as economy falters

The Times
"Britain's economic recovery lost momentum in the first three months of the year, growing by just 0.2 per cent.The figure from the Office for National Statistics fell far below economists’ forecasts for 0.4 per cent growth, which would have matched GDP in the final quarter of last year when the country emerged from the longest and deepest recession on record.Analysts said that the figure may have been affected by the snowy weather at the start of the year, which took a heavy toll on retailers and exporters.The data will come as a heavy blow to Labour just weeks before the election. Next week, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg will take part in the final debate, which will centre on the economy. ..."