The news channel was paused for the breaking news alert.
The breaking news announcement was made on GB News (Image: Getty)
Presenters Alex Armstrong and Ellie Costello had to halt this morning’s instalment of GB News to deliver an update from the Office for National Statistics – and it’s a blow for Sir Keir Starmer. Armstrong began: “Some breaking news this morning, the Office for National Statistics have said the national regular earnings growth fell to 3.4% in the three months to March.”
Costello added: “Well, that was 0.3% higher after taking consumer prices index inflation into account.” Their guest, Fraser Myers of Spiked Online, said: “Well, you have heard the government crowing about its economic success – Rachel Reeves says stick to the plan. But actually, people are struggling. Any increase in earnings is being eroded by inflation – inflation is higher.”
“Growth feels like it is on a lower trajectory, people are struggling, and the current plan isn’t working,” he added.
Armstrong claimed our nation “will have higher bills” and added: “The government will be wondering, ‘What are we going to do? We are going to have to raise taxes again.”
The Office for National Statistics also estimated that the number of workers on payrolls slumped by 100,000 in April, making it the largest fall since May 2020.
Liz McKeown, the Office for National Statistics director of economic statistics, said: “Latest figures suggest the labour market remains soft, with vacancies at their lowest level in five years and unemployment higher than a year ago.”
Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Today’s figures show there were 416,000 more people in work than there were this time last year. While this is encouraging, we know the conflict in the Middle East is casting a shadow on the labour market.
“However, thanks to the choices we have made, we are in a stronger position to deal with the continuing volatility and costs of the war in Iran, with our economy ranking as the fastest growing of any European G7 country last year.”
GB News airs daily on Freeview, YouTube and Sky.