Britain registered a better than expected 2.3% growth for 2003. Economists identified the continued robust consumer spending and an increase in the export of services as the reasons for the good news. On a more sober note, the UK recorded a 3.1% budget deficit, breaching (marginally) the EU ceiling of 3% as defined in the Maastricht treaty. The primary reason being that public sector spending under the current administration is now at an all-time high, almost matching the EU average.