UK economy unexpectedly grows in August despite fall in consumer spending
Why This Matters
Key context: <p>Latest data showing surprise 0.1% growth is boost to John Healey a fortnight before his first budget</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/oct/15/tech-stock-sell-off-markets-uk-gdp-economy-august-imf-latest-news-updates">Business news – live updates</a></p></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>The UK economy unexpectedly continued to grow in August despite a fall in consumer spending before John Healey’s first budget as chancellor.</p><p>Figures from the <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/august2026">Office for National Statistics</a> showed gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.1% last month, compared with 0.4% growth in July. That confounded a forecast by City economists of a 0.1% contraction.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/15/uk-economy-unexpectedly-grows-01-in-august-despite-fuel-hit-to-household-budgets">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.
Latest data showing surprise 0.1% growth is boost to John Healey a fortnight before his first budgetBusiness news – live updatesThe UK economy unexpectedly continued to grow in August despite a fall in consumer spending before John Healey’s first budget as chancellor.Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.1% last month, compared with 0.4% growth in July. That confounded a forecast by City economists of a 0.1% contraction. Continue reading...
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