UK economy posts surprise growth in August ahead of budget

Britain's economy grew by 0.1% in August, defying analyst predictions of a contraction.

Britain recorded an unexpected 0.1% expansion in gross domestic product for August, defying predictions of a contraction. The latest data from national statisticians arrives just weeks before the chancellor presents the upcoming national budget.

• The growth rateGross domestic product rose by 0.1% in August following a 0.4% expansion in July.
• The broader trendThe economy grew by 0.7% across the three months leading up to August.
• The political contextThe figures precede the upcoming autumn budget announcement by the chancellor.

What's new · 14m agoOfficial figures confirmed the 0.1% August growth, confounding earlier predictions of an economic contraction.