Your views: UK dodges 'double dip' recession

The UK's economy grew by 0.5% in the first three months of 2011, according to new figures.

It is after a surprise dip in GDP at the end of last year, which was blamed on heavy snow.

Another drop would have pushed Britain back into recession.

The government has welcomed the figures, but critics say the economy is still struggling, as the numbers show little growth in the last six months.

GDP is worked out by looking at everything that is bought, sold, made and built in the UK.

Newsbeat has been speaking to people in Harpenden, Hertfordshire...

Sarah Cohen, 21, and Jamie Moore, 23, hairdressers

Sarah says: "It's definitely picked up over the Easter and the nicer weather has brought people out. They want their colour touched up they want to look nice and bright for the summer.

"I'd say last year was a lot tougher. It had something to do with the snow over Christmas, when not many people came out."

Glen Moxley sells tobacco and sweets

Glen says he's not having any problems at the moment: "It's a really busy shop. I sell loads of tobacco because there aren't many proper tobacconists left now.

"You give people the service they want and the product they want and they'll come back. My profits aren't marvellous, I'm not going to become a millionaire doing this, but it's all good!"

Amy Richardson is 21 and a florist

"It's going quite well. We've just had Mother's Day and that was really busy.

"There was another flower shop across the road but that closed, so since then we haven't really noticed that business has dropped. I don't think people have stopped spending on flowers."