13.08.202606:07:43UTC+00UK GDP Growth Slows in Q2

The UK economy grew by 0.4% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, down from a 0.6% expansion in Q1 and in line with market expectations, according to preliminary estimates. Services output rose by 0.5% (compared with 0.8% in Q1), driven primarily by information and communication, up 2.7%, and professional, scientific and technical activities, which increased by 1.7%.

Production was flat (vs a 0.2% rise in Q1), as gains in manufacturing and in mining and quarrying were offset by declines in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, as well as in water, sewerage and waste management. Construction output increased by 0.3%, supported by growth in both new work and repair and maintenance.

On the expenditure side, growth was mainly underpinned by a 1.2% increase in gross fixed capital formation and a 0.3% rise in household consumption, while government consumption declined by 0.3%. Year-on-year, UK GDP expanded by 1.2%, picking up from 0.9% in Q1 and slightly surpassing the market forecast of 1.1%.