Alistair Darling MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor said:

"Today figures show the results of the Labour Government’s approach to supporting the recovery.

"This is the fastest growth we have seen for over four years. It shows that confidence was returning. And you can see the success of maintaining support for important sectors like construction.

"And this is the final nail in the coffin of the Coalition’s argument that things are worse than they believed before the election. Today’s figures show that growth was twice as fast as expected. The Coalition’s economic policy is not inevitable – it’s the choice they’ve made.

"And they will have to accept responsibility for the risks they are taking with the economy. "