Retail sales figures showed a surprise improvement on Friday as the UK economy continues to defy expectations at the start of 2023.
The Office for National Statistics reported growth in volumes of 0.5% in January, which compares with City expectations for a 0.3% decline and the previous month’s 1% fall.
Meanwhile, NatWest said it delivered a strong performance in 2022 after pre-tax profits rose by more than a third to £5.1 billion.
