The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) says the UK has avoided going back into recession. Its quarterly economic survey of businesses predicts growth of 0.3% in the first three months this year.

BCC director general John Longworth told the Today programme that they were predicting slow growth, "bumping along the bottom" for the first six months of 2012, picking up in the second half of the year and then stronger growth in the following year.

"It could be so much better if the government were to take action to stimulate the economy," he said.

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