UK GDP increased by 0.2% between April and June, up from 0.1% in the previous three months and the best quarterly reading in more than a year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The data surprised economists, with a poll of them beforehand forecasting no growth in output during the quarter. The reading was helped by an unexpectedly strong performance in June, when output rose by 0.5%. GDP had fallen by 0.1% in May because of an extra bank holiday to celebrate the coronation of King Charles after growth of 0.2% in April.
However, the UK economy still remains 0.2% smaller than it was in the final quarter of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic triggered the deepest recession on record.
This story is from the August 12, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the August 12, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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