UK economy grew unexpectedly after production boost

The UK economy grew unexpectedly in August after a boost in the production sector, according to official statistics, even as growth slowed across the country. GDP expanded by 0.1 per cent in August following several months of high growth. A poll of economists by Bloomberg predicted that the UK economy had contracted by 0.1 per cent in August. Figures were driven by growth of 0.8 per cent in the production sector. Services, the most dominant sector in the country, did not increase activity while construction fell by 0.2 per cent. Over a three-month period, the UK economy grew by 0.7 per cent. GDP growth showed further strength in the latest three months, ONS economic statistics director Liz McKeown said. Upward revisions to already strong services growth in June and July helped drive robust growth across the three months, despite services showing no growth in August. Looking at the longer-term picture, compared with the same three-month period a year ago, the in