BDO expects improved UK growth
The UK economy will grow by 2.3% in the first half of 2004, beating the 2.1% achieved in the third quarter of last year, according to BDO Stoy Hayward.
Link: Pre-Budget report
The top ten firm examined recent business indicators and concluded that confidence in the economy was rising, although it predicted that the Bank of England would not raise interest rates when it meets this week.
Reduced consumer spending pre-Christmas is expected to be the main reason for keeping interest rates unchanged.
Many economists are expecting the next rise in interest rates to come in February.
