Commenting on the latest figures, Danske Bank Chief Economist Angela McGowan said:
“Preliminary estimates for UK economic growth in the run up to the EU referendum suggest that the economy was growing at a healthy 0.6 per cent. This level of growth suggests that the UK will be tackling the Brexit challenge from a relatively strong position which is a good thing. 
“The Office of National Statistics points out that the strong data during the month of April has driven up the three month average and slower growth was reported for the months of May and June.
“PMI data published last week also suggested that since the referendum the UK’s services and manufacturing sectors have contracted because of uncertainty about the UK’s future trading relationships and rising input costs stemming from weak sterling. We must remember that political instability during July will also have dented those PMI readings. It is good to note that the UK has quickly formed a new government and that will go some way to creating a more stable economic climate.
“When talking to business customers this week I have pointed out that the government and the Bank of England have policy levers to use when the economy splutters or stalls after economic shocks.
“These levers include monetary policy adjustments such as interest rate changes or quantitative easing and fiscal measures such as tax adjustments and public spending. I am confident that policy makers will use all the tools available to ensure the economic impact of Brexit will be contained as much as possible.”
