U.K. Economy Expanded 0.5% in First Quarter, Led by Exports

Exports returned the British economy to growth in the first quarter as soaring food and energy costs eroded household incomes and curbed consumer spending.

Gross domestic product rose 0.5 percent from the fourth quarter, the same as previously estimated, the Office for National Statistics said today in London. The pace of growth from a year earlier was revised to 1.6 percent from 1.8 percent.