The UK economy unexpectedly expanded by 0.5% in February, figures show, in a boost for Rachel Reeves before an expected downturn triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff war.

Reversing a modest fall in January of 0.1%, the increase in gross domestic product in February was five times larger than the 0.1% growth that a poll of City economists had forecast.

However, it could mark the last period of expansion before the threats of a global trade war began to dampen business investment and consumer spending.

The Office for National Statistics said growth was across all sectors of the economy, including the manufacturing industry, which bounced back from a long downturn.

Construction, which contracted in January, also recovered to indicate that the government’s support for housebuilding was beginning to pay dividends. Within the services sector, computer programming, telecoms and car dealerships all had strong months.

However, the turnaround in the economy may not last. This month, consumers have been hit by inflation-busting utility bill and council tax increases while employers must cope with £25bn of tax rises.

Stephen Kinnock, a health minister, cautiously welcomed the latest GDP figures but said there was still more to do to improve the UK’s economic prospects.

“Obviously, the stability that this government … has brought is helping investors to make plans for the longer term,” he told Times radio. “That helps drive up investment, which drives up employment, drives up growth, and that is good news, of course. There is still a very long way to go.”

Mel Stride MP, the shadow chancellor, said: “Since coming to office, Labour’s choices have killed growth stone dead and there is still a long way to go to recover.

“At the emergency budget, the forecasts for growth, inflation and borrowing all moved in the wrong direction because of Labour’s decisions.

More details soon …