This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36284200

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
IMF warns of substantial Brexit risk to UK economy IMF warns of substantial Brexit risk to UK economy
(35 minutes later)
A vote for the UK to leave the European Union could have a "negative and substantial effect" on economic growth, the International Monetary Fund said.A vote for the UK to leave the European Union could have a "negative and substantial effect" on economic growth, the International Monetary Fund said.
In its annual health check of the UK economy, the IMF said that a Brexit vote would result in a "protracted period of heightened uncertainty". In its regular health check of the UK economy, the IMF said that a Brexit vote would result in a "protracted period of heightened uncertainty".
That would cause volatility on financial markets and economic output to decline.That would cause volatility on financial markets and economic output to decline.
Such concerns may have already affected UK markets in recent months, it added. Brexit could also erode London's status as a global financial centre, it said.
The IMF pointed to a 40% decline in the number of commercial real estate transactions in the first three months of the year. The IMF said it expected growth to fall below 2% for the full year in 2016 before returning to an average of 2.25% over the medium term.
It pointed out that the choice of whether to remain in the UK was a choice for voters to make and that "their decisions will reflect both economic and non-economic factors". However, the fund said that this "broadly positive" forecast was subject to notable risks, the biggest of which was the EU referendum, but also the low level of household savings, high levels of household debt, a wide current account deficit and concerns that productivity growth will not rise significantly.
Concerns about a possible Brexit may have affected UK markets in recent months, according to the IMF.
It pointed to a 40% decline in the number of commercial real estate transactions in the first three months of the year.
Deciding whether to remain in the UK was a choice for voters to make, the IMF said, adding that "their decisions will reflect both economic and non-economic factors".