LONDON: The International Monetary Fund has delivered an optimistic assessment of Britain’s economic strategy, a sharp reversal from last year, when it criticised the Conservative-led government’s focus on budget austerity.

The report Friday wraps up the IMF’s annual economic inspection with the conclusion that the economy has rebounded and growth is more balanced.

Last year, the IMF made headlines when it criticised Chancellor George Osborne’s plans to reduce debt quickly, at the expense of economic growth.

The cheery new report noted that growth had accelerated, inflation had fallen and that leading indicators suggested that the recovery had gained momentum.

There was a warning about rising house prices, particularly in London. It also singled out concern about low productivity growth.

It says both present risks to the recovery.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2014