It is difficult to be optimistic in the face of the government's austerity measures, plummeting consumer confidence and the ongoing debt woes surrounding the EU and the US. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2011, recovering from the 0.5 per cent contraction in the last three months of 2010.
Britain's gross domestic product dropped by 0.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year in a shock fall that some analysts predict could result in a 'double dip' recession.
Tony Blair felt the hand of history on his shoulder. Following the spending review, there is a growing sense that the hand of the coalition is closing in on our wallets.
Gross domestic product decreased by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2009, making this the longest recession in 50 years. Marc Barber and Nick Britton speak to entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and financial experts to find out how confident they are of seeing a recovery in the UK next year.
