Here are the key UK economic data releases for this week

CBI responds to latest GDP figures (three months to February 2026) | CBI CBI responds to latest GDP figures (three months to February 2026)

“Even before the war in the Middle East, the recovery was far from secure. Rising energy costs and heightened uncertainty risk reinforcing the now familiar trend of weak growth and high inflation.” Said Ben Jones.

To read our full response, click here: www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Services and production contributed positively to growth in the three months to February, offsetting a steep decline in construction activity.

UK GDP rose 0.5% in the three months to February, from 0.3% in the three months to January and no growth in the three months to December. This leaves GDP 1% higher than in February 2025.

CBI Economic Deep Dive: April 2026 | CBI Your quarterly guide to the UK economy; making sense of the key trends and what's driving them.

Growth is muted, inflation pressures are building, and the Middle East conflict is adding new uncertainty. 📉

Our April Economic Deep Dive breaks down what this means for UK businesses.

Exclusive to CBI members🔒: www.cbi.org.uk/articles/cbi...

Here are the key UK economic data releases and events for this week

Financial services saw improved activity in Q1 2026 – CBI Financial Services Survey | CBI Financial services saw improved activity in Q1 2026 – CBI Financial Services Survey

For a more detailed look at the March Financial Services Survey data, check out our press release 👇

www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

FS firms plan to raise investment in IT over the next 12 months (vs previous 12), though to a lesser extent than in Q4 2025. Capex is expected to be cut back on land & buildings and vehicles, plant & machinery.

Headcount in FS remained broadly flat over the quarter to March but firms expect it to rise marginally next quarter.

Sentiment among FS firms rose in Q1 2026, following six consecutive quarters of falling or flat optimism.

Business volumes in the financial services sector rebounded in Q1 2026 at the fastest rate since December 1996, according to the latest CBI Financial Services Survey. FS firms expect volumes to grow at a rapid, albeit slightly slower, pace over Q2.

Iran conflict shifts the UK’s economic outlook | CBI We examine the ongoing impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

Just in time for Easter: our latest note examines what different scenarios for conflict in the Middle East could mean for the UK economic outlook 👇

www.cbi.org.uk/articles/ira...

Economy in brief: April 2026 | CBI Your monthly overview of the major trends impacting the UK’s main business sectors.

How are higher and more volatile energy prices likely to shape the UK’s inflation and monetary policy outlook?

Deputy Chief Economist @alpeshpaleja.bsky.social explores this in April’s Economy in Brief.

Read more🔒: www.cbi.org.uk/articles/eco...

UK GDP was confirmed to have grown by 0.1% q/q in Q4 2025, following growth of 0.1% in Q3. Growth in Q4 was primarily caused by marginal increases in household and government spending, while business investment contracted.

February’s retail sales decline was broad-based, led by a sharp fall in food stores sales. Non-store retailers pointed to consumers bringing forward their spending to January to benefit from discounts, while others cited poor weather dampening demand, according to the ONS.

#Retail sales volumes fell by 0.4% m/m in February, following a strong start to the year (sales rose by 2.0% in January). Despite this decline, underlying momentum continued to improve, with sales volumes rising by 0.7% over the three months to February.

Outlook for private sector activity remains subdued - CBI Growth Indicator | CBI Outlook for private sector activity remains subdued - CBI Growth Indicator

Our Deputy Chief Economist @alpeshpaleja.bsky.social said “These challenges are now compounded by the escalating conflict in the Middle East...”
🔗 To learn more, click here: www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

[Figures shown are net balances – the percentage of firms expecting an increase in output/activity, minus those expecting a decrease]

📊The sectoral picture is mixed, with manufacturing and consumer services expectations notably less pessimistic.

• Business & professional services: -16%
• Consumer services: -12%
• Distribution: -40%
• Manufacturing: -3%

📉 OUTLOOK FOR PRIVATE SECTOR ACTIVTY REMAINS SUBDUED

The CBI’s latest surveys report that firms anticipate another decline in activity in the three months to June, continuing a run of negative expectations going back to the end of 2024.

CBI responds to latest inflation data for February 2026 | CBI CBI responds to latest inflation data for February 2026

“The recent spike in global energy prices due to the Iran conflict means that we expect to see renewed inflationary pressures in the near-term."

Check out @martinsartorius.bsky.social’s response to today's inflation data and what it could mean for interest rates: www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Unchanged inflation in February reflected upward contributions from clothing, furniture, and misc. good & services being offset by downward contributions from, mainly, alcohol & tobacco and transport.

UK CPI #inflation held steady at 3.0% in February, in line with consensus expectations. Core CPI inflation (excl. energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco) edged up slightly to 3.2% (from 3.1% in January).

Momentum in the UK retail sector remained poor in March, with annual sales volumes falling sharply and no signs of an imminent recovery. Subdued activity was also evident across the rest of the distribution sector.

Check out the results of our latest DTS 👇

Retailers report poor sales in March - CBI Distributive Trades Survey | CBI Retailers report poor sales in March - CBI Distributive Trades Survey

For a more detailed look at the March Distributive Trades Survey and @martinsartorius.bsky.social's view of the results, check out our press release 👇

www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre...

Total distribution sales volumes (including retail, wholesale, and motor trades) continued to fall in the year to March at a fast rate. Sales are set to contract at a similar pace in April.

Wholesale sales volumes fell at a slightly softer rate in the year to March and the rate of decline is anticipated to slow further next month.

Online retail sales volumes declined in the year to March, following strong growth last month. Retailers expect internet sales to contract at a modest pace in April.

Retailers judged March’s sales to be “poor” for the time of year, to a greater extent than last month. April’s sales are set to fall short of seasonal norms, though to a slightly lesser degree.

#Retail sales volumes dropped at a rapid pace in the year to March, marking the quickest decline in nearly six years, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. The decline is set to continue at a similarly sharp rate next month.