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UK economy grows 0.4% in second quarter as weather and sport boost activity

Growth slowed versus the first quarter, and June gains were partly offset by weaker May data after a revision to flat month-on-month growth.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Europe

The UK economy expanded 0.4% between April and June, according to official data cited by BBC Business, with the services sector driving growth and manufacturing also rising.

The Office for National Statistics said the second quarter result was “relatively robust” but still below the 0.6% expansion recorded in the first three months. On an annual basis, the economy is 1.2% larger than a year ago, though economists warned that growth is likely to slow in the second half of the year.

BBC Business reported that the ONS pointed to specific areas of strength, including computer programming, advertising, and pharmaceuticals, while falls in power generation and sewerage weighed on the overall figure.

The ONS also attributed part of June’s performance to “good weather and sporting events,” noting month-on-month growth of 0.3% in June after May’s growth was revised down from 0.1% to zero. The BBC added that June’s men’s football World Cup supported hospitality venues, while commentary highlighted ongoing impacts from the war in Iran and political uncertainty around the prime minister’s resignation at the end of June.

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