23 Aug 2010

Growth forecast cut by France

9:28 am on 23 August 2010

France has cut its forecast for economic growth next year following a meeting between the president and senior finance ministers on ways to cut its budget deficit.

The economy is expected to grow by 2% in 2011, down from the previous forecast of 2.5%.

President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to cut the deficit from a record 8% to 6% next year, but the BBC reports the job will be made harder by the slowing economy.