LONDON — The British economy grew at its slowest rate in five years during 2017 as consumers and businesses were held back by factors directly related to Brexit. Before the June 2016 vote to leave the European Union, it had for years been one of the fastest-growing. Though Brexit isn’t officially due to take place until March 2019, the vote to leave the European Union has clearly hit consumers and businesses. Business investment during the fourth quarter was flat when compared to the year before, a sign of the impact of Brexit uncertainty. “The effect of the uncertainty around future trading relationships is having an impact on the demand side of the economy,” Carney told lawmakers Wednesday.

Source: National Post February 22, 2018 09:43 UTC