Growth data spark tetchy exchanges at PMQs

David Cameron has claimed the 0.5 per cent growth figures were good news and a reflection of a recovery in the private sector. “It’s clearly a success the economy is growing,” he told MPs at prime minister’s questions.

Ed Miliband Labour leader, said the economy was “flatlining”, adding: “What world is he living in? What extraordinary complacency. It’s his cuts that are too far and too fast.”

In increasingly tetchy exchanges, Mr Cameron claimed that Mr Miliband was “desperate” for Britain to slump into a double dip recession in the hope that it would justify his own economic policy.

At one point the prime minister responded to heckling from the Labour benches by saying “calm down, dear” – a remark apparently aimed at Angela Eagle, Labour’s shadow Treasury chief secretary.

His comment sparked a furious reaction on the Labour benches. Later a Labour source said Mr Cameron had been “patronising, sexist and deeply un-prime ministerial”.

Tory officials said it was a light-hearted remark inspired by an insurance advertisement featuring Michael Winner, director of the Death Wish series of films.