The three months to February saw 0.5% growth in gross domestic product (GDP), the standard measure of the value of an economy and everything it produces, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. In just the month of February, the rise was also 0.5%. Revised figures, also published on Thursday, said there was no growth in the three months to December. February's growth was down to expansion in the largest part of the economy: services. In particular, wholesaling, market research, hospitality, and publishing all performed well in the three months to February, said the ONS's chief economist, Grant Fitzner. The government welcomed the latest figures, with chief secretary to the Treasury James Murray saying: "Growth only happens when the economy is on solid ground. That's why in a changing world our plan to restore stability, boost investment and deliver reform is the right one to build a more stronger more resilient Britain. "At the IMF meetings in Washington the chancellor has set out how we will go further and faster to boost Britain's competitiveness and build a stronger, more resilient economy, keeping costs down for families and businesses and taking back control of our energy costs as today we cut bills by up to 25% for 10,000 British businesses." UK car production also recovered from the August cyberattack at Jaguar Land Rover, which for more than a month forced a halt to production across its global operations. Overall, production in the UK grew 1.2%. Growth would have been higher but construction output fell, just more slowly than previously. Leasing and intellectual property licensing are also continuing to contract, Mr Fitzner added. Economic expansion of just 0.1% had been forecast for February by economists polled by the Reuters news agency. The government has repeatedly said its number one priority is economic growth but the rises in GDP have been slight. Last growth for some time? Yet it may be the last period of growth for some time. Despite the current two-week ceasefire, the Iran war is forecast to hit the UK economy more than others. Britain's economic prospects have been downgraded more than any other major economy in the International Monetary Fund's latest update on the state of the world. A similar downgrade was made by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Staff were told of the news of redundancies during an all-staff call at 3pm on Wednesday but were not given details of who would be affected. The cuts would mark the biggest round of job cuts at the BBC in almost 15 years. They come as the broadcaster attempts to reduce costs by 10% over the next three years. In February, it was revealed it aimed to reduce spending by hundreds of millions of pounds within this timeframe as it continues to face "substantial financial pressures". The latest cuts, initially reported by the Financial Times, come as former Google boss, Matt Brittin, prepares to take over as director-general next month. The BBC also recently revealed plans to drastically reduce the team behind the coverage of national occasions such as royal and state events. Interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, who led the all-staff meeting and will head the corporation until Mr Brittin takes over on 18 May, told staff the corporation needs to save an additional £500m over the next two years. He said: "All of this needs to be done with real care - for our audiences and, of course, for all of you. "I know this is challenging news, and we'll need to work closely together to build our plans. "My commitment to you is that we'll do everything possible to try to reduce the strain and uncertainty that change of this kind brings." Read more:Mandelson's firm collapsedTrump: UK 'can't succeed' Previously, the BBC has said: "Over the last three years we have delivered more than a half a billion pounds worth of savings, much of which we've been able to reinvest into our output across the BBC." The BBC is predominantly funded through the annual licence fee, which rose to £180 per year on 1 April. Philippa Childs, head of broadcasting union Bectu, said: "Cuts of this magnitude will be devastating for the workforce and to the BBC as a whole. "BBC staff are already under significant pressure after previous redundancies. This will also inevitably impact the wider creative industries ecosystem, given the BBC's crucial anchor role in commissioning content and nurturing talent. "At a time of fake news and an industry that is becoming more concentrated in the hands of a few multinational corporations, the UK needs a confident, ambitious and sustainably-funded BBC more than ever. "The government must ensure that Charter Renewal puts the BBC's funding on a more secure, long-term pathway and prevent our national broadcaster facing death by a thousand cuts." Sky News has approached the BBC for a response.

A survey by the Economist Educational Foundation found that 22% of 15 to 17-year-olds had stopped themselves sharing political opinions because they were worried about criticism, along with 20% of 10 to 14-year-olds. Nearly one in four of the 4,000 students aged between 10 and 17 who took part in the survey said they have been asked to stop voicing their political views at school. The results also showed that 44% of 15 to 17-year-olds said they would not feel ready to vote in the next election. It comes after the government introduced plans last year to lower the voting age to 16, enabling up to 9.5 million more people to have their say at the next general election. The Economist Educational Foundation's chief growth officer, Tiffany Smyly, said the fear of being cancelled could push teenagers to online "fringe" communities where their views could become more extreme. She warned: "If teenagers are worried about being cancelled, then they are not going to be sharing their viewpoints at school or with friends. "Instead, they are likely to go into chat rooms or forums that do allow them to share a fringe opinion, and that might be where their views become more extreme. "We need to channel young people's political curiosity in more positive ways." Read more from Sky News:Social media bosses ordered to No 10BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs The survey found the cost of living crisis and healthcare are the main concerns for younger people. Those who took part were more likely to say they were curious about politics than uninterested in it - and more than two-thirds of 15 to 17-year-olds admitted they would feel more confident voting if they knew more about different political policies. Flora Letanka, chief executive of the Economist Educational Foundation, called for more opportunities for young people to openly discuss the topics that matter to them. She added: "We need to ensure young people are given the chance to think critically about what's going on in the world, to explore different perspectives, and see the real impact of political decisions on the people around them."

The Gunners held on for a 0-0 home draw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, meaning Kai Havertz's lone goal in Lisbon was enough to book them a place in the last four. It is the first time in the club's history that they have reached consecutive semi-finals in the competition, but on Wednesday night they were far from their best, managing just one shot on target. Match report: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting (1-0 agg)As it happened | Teams | StatsChampions League results and fixturesArsenal news & transfers🔴⚪ | Arsenal fixtures & scores Asked if progressing in the Champions League would positively impact their potentially Premier League-deciding game against Man City this Sunday, live on Sky Sports, Arteta said: "100 per cent, it's a massive boost. "To be in the semi-finals of the Champions League is extremely tough. We are going to enjoy it because we deserve it." Arsenal's recent dip in form has led to questions around the team's ability to hold their nerve as they enter the run-in. A Super Sunday defeat to City would open the door for Pep Guardiola's side to go level on points with the Gunners at the top of the league if they win their game in hand. However, Arteta insists he is not concerned by the mental strength of his squad. "I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary now," he said. "You can think of the last 48 hours. Everything that has been said. We are watching the series in July, and then we have to ask ourselves a question. Where are Arsenal placed? All of us would say, 'They are in the bottom three.' "What are we talking about? Enjoy where we are as a club. If someone doesn't want to, I think it's so weird." Arteta added: "There is a reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule takes the hell out of you. "We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that's for sure and we recognise that. But there's value in what these players have done." Arsenal face problem in attack ahead of trip to Man City Despite reaching a second consecutive Champions League semi-final, Arsenal are still clearly struggling in front of goal. The Gunners 0.64 xG across the whole game on Wednesday. That lingering inability to create could still help City close the gap in the race for the Premier League. Got Sky? Watch Man City vs Arsenal on the Sky Sports app��Not got Sky? Get instant access with no contract📺 "It was always going to be [difficult]," Arteta told TNT Sports after the second leg against Sporting. "We had moments in the first half where we probably should have scored. There are moments with the ball where we have to improve a lot, to have more control, dominance, and finish many more actions." Viktor Gyokeres was removed before the hour mark on a difficult night against his former club. The striker has scored two in his last four but had just 14 touches across the game. Asked by a Portuguese journalist why he substituted Gyokeres early, Arteta said: "With Viktor [Gyokeres], I thought the game required something else. Another type of number nine that would link up and create more. There was no space to run and we fell for that."

A survey by the Economist Educational Foundation found that 22% of 15 to 17-year-olds had stopped themselves sharing political opinions because they were worried about criticism, along with 20% of 10 to 14-year-olds. Nearly one in four of the 4,000 students aged between 10 and 17 who took part in the survey said they have been asked to stop voicing their political views at school. The results also showed that 44% of 15 to 17-year-olds said they would not feel ready to vote in the next election. It comes after the government introduced plans last year to lower the voting age to 16, enabling up to 9.5 million more people to have their say at the next general election. The Economist Educational Foundation's chief growth officer, Tiffany Smyly, said the fear of being cancelled could push teenagers to online "fringe" communities where their views could become more extreme. She warned: "If teenagers are worried about being cancelled, then they are not going to be sharing their viewpoints at school or with friends. "Instead, they are likely to go into chat rooms or forums that do allow them to share a fringe opinion, and that might be where their views become more extreme. "We need to channel young people's political curiosity in more positive ways." Read more from Sky News:Social media bosses ordered to No 10BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs The survey found the cost of living crisis and healthcare are the main concerns for younger people. Those who took part were more likely to say they were curious about politics than uninterested in it - and more than two-thirds of 15 to 17-year-olds admitted they would feel more confident voting if they knew more about different political policies. Flora Letanka, chief executive of the Economist Educational Foundation, called for more opportunities for young people to openly discuss the topics that matter to them. She added: "We need to ensure young people are given the chance to think critically about what's going on in the world, to explore different perspectives, and see the real impact of political decisions on the people around them."

On X, the rapper wrote: "After much thought and consideration, it is my sole decision to postpone my show in Marseille, France until further notice." West was due to perform at the Marseille Velodrome on 11 June, but the gig had faced a growing backlash because of his history of antisemitic comments. Earlier in the week, French interior minister Laurent Nunez had told Politico he was "very determined" to prevent the show from going ahead. And back in March, Marseille mayor Benoit Payan said he would refuse to let the city "be a showcase for those who promote hatred and unapologetic Nazism". West was blocked from coming to the UK after the government concluded that his presence would "not be conducive to the public good". He had been due to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival in London, but the event was cancelled after his electronic travel visa authorisation was withdrawn. Several major sponsors - including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo - had pulled out of the event, with the booking attracting condemnation from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In an earlier statement, Wireless organisers had said "multiple stakeholders" had been consulted before the booking, and "no concerns were highlighted at the time". They added: "Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had." Following the backlash, West had offered to meet members of the Jewish community in the UK, and said he knew he had "to show change through his actions". "My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through music," he wrote. The 48-year-old has not performed in the UK since Glastonbury in 2015. In the years since, he has drawn criticism for a Super Bowl advert that directed people to a swastika T-shirt, and a song referencing Hitler. Earlier this year, West apologised for his actions in The Wall Street Journal - and blamed his behaviour on his bipolar-1 disorder, which he claims was the result of a car accident. "I lost touch with reality," he had said. "Things got worse the longer I ignored the problem. I said and did things I deeply regret."

The three months to February saw 0.5% growth in gross domestic product (GDP), the standard measure of the value of an economy and everything it produces, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. In just the month of February, the rise was also 0.5%. Revised figures, also published on Thursday, said there was no growth in the three months to December. February's growth was down to expansion in the largest part of the economy: services. In particular, wholesaling, market research, hospitality, and publishing all performed well in the three months to February, said the ONS's chief economist, Grant Fitzner. The government welcomed the latest figures, with chief secretary to the Treasury James Murray saying: "Growth only happens when the economy is on solid ground. That's why in a changing world our plan to restore stability, boost investment and deliver reform is the right one to build a more stronger more resilient Britain. "At the IMF meetings in Washington the chancellor has set out how we will go further and faster to boost Britain's competitiveness and build a stronger, more resilient economy, keeping costs down for families and businesses and taking back control of our energy costs as today we cut bills by up to 25% for 10,000 British businesses." UK car production also recovered from the August cyberattack at Jaguar Land Rover, which for more than a month forced a halt to production across its global operations. Overall, production in the UK grew 1.2%. Growth would have been higher but construction output fell, just more slowly than previously. Leasing and intellectual property licensing are also continuing to contract, Mr Fitzner added. Economic expansion of just 0.1% had been forecast for February by economists polled by the Reuters news agency. The government has repeatedly said its number one priority is economic growth but the rises in GDP have been slight. Last growth for some time? Yet it may be the last period of growth for some time. Despite the current two-week ceasefire, the Iran war is forecast to hit the UK economy more than others. Britain's economic prospects have been downgraded more than any other major economy in the International Monetary Fund's latest update on the state of the world. A similar downgrade was made by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Didier Deschamps, the France head coach, confirmed Ekitike will miss the World Cup this summer with a "serious" injury. Sky Sports News understands the player is set for scans to determine the full extent of the injury, which is not yet known. The worst-case scenario is an absence as long as nine months - but it will take more analysis to determine a timeline for his recovery. Ekitike came off with a serious leg problem after 31 minutes of the 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield - which confirmed a 4-0 aggregate quarter-final defeat to the reigning European champions. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Liverpool news & transfers🔴Liverpool fixtures & scores | FREE Liverpool PL highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Liverpool games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔 "Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday evening against PSG," said Deschamps in quotes released on the national team's X account. "The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup. "Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months. He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team. "His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I'm convinced of it. "But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff. We know he'll be fully behind the France team and we're all thinking of him very strongly." Ekitike picked up the injury just as Alexander Isak returned from his serious leg injury, with the British record transfer making his first start since fracturing his ankle in December. Liverpool did not comment when contacted by Sky Sports News. Speaking after the defeat to PSG, Slot gave an initial assessment of Ekitike's injury. "Hugo looks really bad but it's difficult for me to say how bad," he said. "Tomorrow we will investigate this further, [see] how bad this is for him. Let's see. But it doesn't look good. I didn't see him at half-time and after the game he had already gone home so I haven't spoken to him yet." Ekitike's team-mate, Ibrahima Konate, echoed those fears, as he added: "I'm very sad for him. I think it is bad. I don't know. I send him my prayers and everything." Ekitike has scored 19 goals for Liverpool and France this season after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer. 'Terrible blow for Ekitike and Liverpool' Sky Sports' Vinny O'Connor: "It looked to be a serious one. He tried to get back to his feet and couldn't. Ekitike is undergoing scans to determine the full extent of the problem. "Arne Slot confirmed that he felt it was a serious one. If it is a rupture, then that is a recovery time of six to nine months. That rules him out of the rest of the season, the World Cup and the start of the next season. "A terrible blow for him and a terrible blow for Liverpool." Another injury for Liverpool... Sky Sports' Peter Smith: Another injury for Liverpool compounds a common and unfortunate theme for their season. Of course, Alexander Isak was supposed to come in and post a big goals total for Liverpool this season after his £125m signing from Newcastle. But the Swede has struggled with injuries, including a broken leg which sidelined him in December and Tuesday was his first start back. The plan at the start of the season was for Isak and fellow summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to combine in a new-look £320m attack. But Ekitike's worrying injury against PSG added to Liverpool's frustrating night, and Slot pointed out how he hasn't had a chance to use those three big names together often enough. "For 88 minutes [before Tuesday] we have played with Florian [Wirtz], Alex and Hugo. We added about 27 to that [on Tuesday] and I would be surprised if we add more minutes to that this season," he said. On Ekitike's injury, he added: "Losing a game is hard but again losing a player is something we've had many times this season." First-choice keeper Alisson has also missed game time with hamstring problems, Conor Bradley has had knee surgery, Giovanni Leoni's ACL injury put a strain on centre-back depth, while Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez have also been out for significant spells. After claiming the fitness of his squad was at its best for the campaign before facing PSG, to yet another setback. Liverpool have been hampered and hindered regularly. Liverpool's remaining matches April 19: Everton (A), live on Sky Sports, kick-off 2pm April 25: Crystal Palace (H), kick-off 3pm May 3: Manchester United (A), live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3.30pm May 9: Chelsea (H), kick-off 12.30pm May 17: Aston Villa (A), kick-off TBD May 24: Brentford (H), kick-off 4pm