The United Kingdom isn't facing as many financial troubles as predicted, after the latest data shows their GDP holding steady. 

The past few months in the UK have been dominated by challenges to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, and many believed the issues in Parliament would damage the country's financial stability. 

Business Correspondent Vicky Price told Ryan Bridge that, 'what we did see here was in the UK was an increase of 0.6% in the quarter in GDP, which is quite unexpected.'

But she said this won't be A relief for Starmer, who faces more leadership challenges from members of his cabinet. 

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The United Kingdom isn't facing as many financial troubles as predicted, after the latest data shows their GDP holding steady.&nbsp;
The past few months in the UK have been dominated by challenges to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, and many believed the issues in Parliament would damage the country's financial stability.&nbsp;
Business Correspondent Vicky Price told Ryan Bridge that, 'what we did see here was in the UK was an increase of 0.6% in the quarter in GDP, which is quite unexpected.'
But she said this won't be A relief for Starmer, who faces more leadership challenges from members of his cabinet.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Vicky Price: Business Correspondent says UK's GDP is better than expected in Q1

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c63894e0-c987-4bd7-90a9-b44d013ed5a2/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 18th of May 2026, National's campaigning on scrapping good character assessments at sentencing for all sexual offenders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Ryan what a difference this will make.

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on UK GDP, UK Labour leadership uncertainty affecting bond markets and the latest inflation data in Europe for April up. 

Darfield High School Principal Andy England shares his thoughts on the Government's replacement for NCEA. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on central London protests over the weekend and Wes Streeting saying he will be a candidate when there’s a leadership election.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 18th of May 2026, National's campaigning on scrapping good character assessments at sentencing for all sexual offenders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Ryan what a difference this will make.
Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on UK GDP, UK Labour leadership uncertainty affecting bond markets and the latest inflation data in Europe for April up.&nbsp;
Darfield High School Principal Andy England shares his thoughts on the Government's replacement for NCEA.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on central London protests over the weekend and Wes Streeting saying he will be a candidate when there’s a leadership election.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 18 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/32164188-e750-4277-86e0-b44d012ac53f/transcript

Concern that NCEA's revamp could be a little old fashioned. 

The Education Minister has announced more detail on what's replacing NCEA. 

Year 11 students will need a foundational literacy and numeracy award under the new system, while senior students face compulsory exams in every subject, and must pass at least three.

Canterbury's Darfield School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge there's no doubt NCEA needed a revamp - but this is a bit retro.  

He's concerned it's oversimplified. 

Concern that NCEA's revamp could be a little old fashioned.&nbsp;
The Education Minister has announced more detail on what's replacing NCEA.&nbsp;
Year 11 students will need a foundational literacy and numeracy award under the new system, while senior students face compulsory exams in every subject, and must pass at least three.
Canterbury's Darfield School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge there's no doubt NCEA needed a revamp - but this is a bit retro. &nbsp;
He's concerned it's oversimplified.&nbsp;

Andy England: Canterbury's Darfield School Principal on NCEA's revamp

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/02ae6f12-a30e-44c2-9b92-b44d012b2f03/transcript

In education, old school is the best kind of school. 

Secondary students will be forced to learn science, as well as maths and English, in the fifth form. 

They'll be graded, not on merit or achieved or whatever, but A+ to E.

So far so uncontroversial, I would have thought. 

On top of that, exams will be compulsory in every subject. 

Gone are the days of handing in pre-prepared essays drafted with the assistance of google. 

Now, despite the fact 10,000 people provided feedback on the changes, there'll no doubt be union reps upset with change, because they normally are. 

But old school practices are back in vogue, even in their beloved Scandinavia.

Sweeden, for example, is going back to basics in order to get their reading levels back up.

They're bringing back physical books and getting rid of iPads and laptops for certain classes.

They're bringing back handwriting, not typing. 

They'll have less time in front of screens. 

Why are they doing this? 

It's better for the kids' learning. 

You're more likely to retain information if you've taken the time to write it out by hand. It imprints into your brain in a way not possible with a laptop or computer. 

The BBC reports Sweeden's reading levels were top of the class in Europe in 2000 and then started to nosedive around the same time books were replaced by digital in classrooms. 

So, when people complain about these changes being made, it might be prudent to ask whether there was anything wrong with the way we were doing things.

And more to the point, what's happened to achievement since we made changes? Barnyard-style classrooms, more internal assessment, choice-your-own-adventure qualifications, fewer exams and laptops on every desk.

These things make student life easier, I'm sure. But easier doesn't mean better, not in the long run.

In education, old school is the best kind of school.&nbsp;
Secondary students will be forced to learn science, as well as maths and English, in the fifth form.&nbsp;
They'll be graded, not on merit or achieved or whatever, but A+ to E.
So far so uncontroversial, I would have thought.&nbsp;
On top of that, exams will be compulsory in every subject.&nbsp;
Gone are the days of handing in pre-prepared essays drafted with the assistance of google.&nbsp;
Now, despite the fact 10,000 people provided feedback on the changes, there'll no doubt be union reps upset with change, because they normally are.&nbsp;
But old school practices are back in vogue, even in their beloved Scandinavia.
Sweeden, for example, is going back to basics in order to get their reading levels back up.
They're bringing back physical books and getting rid of iPads and laptops for certain classes.
They're bringing back handwriting, not typing.&nbsp;
They'll have less time in front of screens.&nbsp;
Why are they doing this?&nbsp;
It's better for the kids' learning.&nbsp;
You're more likely to retain information if you've taken the time to write it out by hand. It imprints into your brain in a way not possible with a laptop or computer.&nbsp;
The BBC reports Sweeden's reading levels were top of the class in Europe in 2000 and then started to nosedive around the same time books were replaced by digital in classrooms.&nbsp;
So, when people complain about these changes being made, it might be prudent to ask whether there was anything wrong with the way we were doing things.
And more to the point, what's happened to achievement since we made changes? Barnyard-style classrooms, more internal assessment, choice-your-own-adventure qualifications, fewer exams and laptops on every desk.
These things make student life easier, I'm sure. But easier doesn't mean better, not in the long run.

Ryan Bridge: Old school is the best school

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2867f772-451b-4043-b535-b44d012a2ce8/transcript

Vicky Price: Business Correspondent says UK's GDP is better than expected in Q1

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