February 15, 2025

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Barclays boss predicts biggest economic boom since 1948 for Britain

The United kingdom will appreciate its strongest yr of growth since contemporary documents commenced in 1948 as the financial system surges again to life just after a swift vaccine rollout, the boss of Barclays has predicted.

Jes Staley mentioned he expects the United kingdom to have a really robust recovery along with the US, posting its largest rebound for decades on the again of a publish-lockdown shopper expending spree.

He mentioned: “Our economic forecast is for the United kingdom financial system to develop by six.5pc this yr, which would be the strongest growth rate in the British financial system since 1948. 

“There is certainly incredible pent-up demand, the two with the shopper and small firms, and we see that as a result of the vaccination programme, which has been an amazing achievement in the United kingdom.”

It arrived as Barclays unveiled pre-tax earnings of £2.4bn for the very first quarter of the 2021, their maximum degree in thirteen many years.

The robust effectiveness was pushed by strong growth in its corporate and expense banking division and bumper mortgage lending just after dwelling selling prices took off next Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s stamp obligation lower.

Barclays’ share trading floor beat forecasts in the very first quarter throughout a period of wild swings on the inventory industry, irrespective of a weaker effectiveness somewhere else in the bank’s markets division. 

Mr Staley mentioned: “As we enter the future phase of this pandemic, we keep on being resolute in our dedication to support the economic recovery.

“From our commit knowledge, which captures United kingdom economic activity throughout our playing cards and attaining firms, we are currently seeing encouraging early indicators of recovery in some sectors, which include all those hit toughest by the disaster.”