Theresa May warned by Nicola Sturgeon to keep Britain in the EU single market as GDP plummets

Again First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon attack flexes muscle with Theresa May over her alleged “very hard” Brexit caused the recent slowdown of the UK’s GDP in the first quarter of this year 2017.

Sturgeon’s attack came after the Office of National Statistics (ONS) announced the 0.3% growth of the GDP, which is far below the 0.7 that was recorded in the previous year’s last quarter.

Though the slow growth of the GDP was being envisaged by some economist, due to the level of inflation in the country that has forced the public to fasten their seatbelt.

Thus, the First Minister seized the opportunity to call on Theresa May to allow the UK to keep membership of the EU single market.

She told Sky News: “I don’t think there’s any doubt we’re starting to see the signs of Brexit on the economy and particularly given Theresa May’s determination not just to take the UK out of the EU… but to pursue a very hard Brexit is having that impact on the economy.

“I think the GDP figures should be setting alarm bells ringing and it underlines the importance of making sure that there are voices there arguing for a common sense outcome.

“We’ve argued that albeit the UK’s leaving the EU, we should be seeking to remain in the single market because that helps to obtain jobs and investment and it’s the best outcome for our economy.”

The ONS said there were falls in “several important consumer-focused industries” including retail sales and accommodation, due in part to prices increasing more than spending.

The trend has been causing consumers a lot of discomfort since the start of 2017, as inflation rises to its highest rate for over three years now.

Also, the squeeze affecting household spending power has been made worse by gloomy retail sales in the UK, as they record their greatest fall for about seven years now.

Richard Berry, the founder of the currency specialists Berry FX, said: “The underwhelming performance of the economy in the first quarter put the Pound on the back foot rather than the canvas.

"Sterling didn't go off a cliff, largely because an anodyne number had been priced in, but the weakest output since before the Referendum has certainly added to the sense of uncertainty."