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UK economic growth rate edges higher | UK economic growth rate edges higher |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The UK economy grew by 0.3% in the three months to June, driven in part by a booming film industry, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS). | The UK economy grew by 0.3% in the three months to June, driven in part by a booming film industry, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS). |
The initial estimate showed growth picking up from the first quarter of the year, when it was 0.2%. | The initial estimate showed growth picking up from the first quarter of the year, when it was 0.2%. |
The ONS said the growth was driven by services, particularly retail, which more than offset falls in output in the manufacturing and construction sectors. | The ONS said the growth was driven by services, particularly retail, which more than offset falls in output in the manufacturing and construction sectors. |
It added there had been a "notable slowdown" in growth from last year. | It added there had been a "notable slowdown" in growth from last year. |
"While services such as retail, and film production and distribution showed some improvement in the second quarter, a weaker performance from construction and manufacturing pulled down overall growth," said Darren Morgan, ONS head of national accounts. | "While services such as retail, and film production and distribution showed some improvement in the second quarter, a weaker performance from construction and manufacturing pulled down overall growth," said Darren Morgan, ONS head of national accounts. |
"The economy has experienced a notable slowdown in the first half of this year," he added. | "The economy has experienced a notable slowdown in the first half of this year," he added. |
Film production in the UK, plus box-office receipts from cinemas, was one of the best performing parts of the economy during the period. | Film production in the UK, plus box-office receipts from cinemas, was one of the best performing parts of the economy during the period. |
The ONS said ticket receipts from Wonder Woman and the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film were among the items that had boosted the sector it calls motion picture activities. | The ONS said ticket receipts from Wonder Woman and the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film were among the items that had boosted the sector it calls motion picture activities. |
That sector grew 8% in the second quarter. | That sector grew 8% in the second quarter. |
'Not complacent' | 'Not complacent' |
Chancellor Philip Hammond said the UK economy had now grown consistently for four-and-a-half years. | Chancellor Philip Hammond said the UK economy had now grown consistently for four-and-a-half years. |
"We can be proud of that, but we are not complacent," he added. | "We can be proud of that, but we are not complacent," he added. |
"We need to focus on restoring productivity growth to deliver higher wages and living standards for people across the country." | "We need to focus on restoring productivity growth to deliver higher wages and living standards for people across the country." |
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "Growth for the first half of 2017 is below expectations, and it follows continued data showing working families are being squeezed with wages not keeping up with prices." | Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "Growth for the first half of 2017 is below expectations, and it follows continued data showing working families are being squeezed with wages not keeping up with prices." |
Aberdeen Asset Management chief economist Lucy O'Carroll said: "This pick-up will be taken as good news, but it really doesn't amount to much. | Aberdeen Asset Management chief economist Lucy O'Carroll said: "This pick-up will be taken as good news, but it really doesn't amount to much. |
"The figures are the first estimate of growth, based on very patchy data. They always get revised over time, and often substantially so. | "The figures are the first estimate of growth, based on very patchy data. They always get revised over time, and often substantially so. |
"It's the underlying trends that matter. They don't look favourable at the moment, given the uncertainties around Brexit and the pressure on household budgets from higher inflation." | "It's the underlying trends that matter. They don't look favourable at the moment, given the uncertainties around Brexit and the pressure on household budgets from higher inflation." |
Construction: Clients 'concerned over the market' | |
The construction sector weakened in the second quarter, according to the ONS. | |
That was backed up by Andrew Sweeney, from Care Building Services. He told the BBC: "We seem to be pricing a lot more projects. We price projects for clients; we have estimators in the office. After we've priced it the clients pull it because it is coming over the budget. | |
"We've been given orders for jobs and at the last minute the clients have pulled them away from us due to concerns over the market." | |
Kallum Pickering, senior UK economist at Berenberg, said the UK's growth in the first half of the year had been its slowest since 2013. | Kallum Pickering, senior UK economist at Berenberg, said the UK's growth in the first half of the year had been its slowest since 2013. |
He added: "Whereas growth has accelerated significantly so far this year in continental Europe and many emerging markets, the UK is missing out. | He added: "Whereas growth has accelerated significantly so far this year in continental Europe and many emerging markets, the UK is missing out. |
"While the downside risks from the Brexit vote have not yet played out in a major way, the uncertainty stemming from Brexit is leading to caution in all areas of spending and policy that have long-term implications. | "While the downside risks from the Brexit vote have not yet played out in a major way, the uncertainty stemming from Brexit is leading to caution in all areas of spending and policy that have long-term implications. |
"The UK would probably be growing at 2.5% or above this year were it not for Brexit, with strong gains in real wages and more business investment." | "The UK would probably be growing at 2.5% or above this year were it not for Brexit, with strong gains in real wages and more business investment." |
The latest growth figure was in line with economists' expectations, and is unlikely to change expectations that, at its policy meeting next week, the Bank of England will keep interest rates at their current record low. | The latest growth figure was in line with economists' expectations, and is unlikely to change expectations that, at its policy meeting next week, the Bank of England will keep interest rates at their current record low. |
On Monday, the International Monetary Fund downgraded its forecast for UK economic growth this year because of the weak first-quarter figure. | On Monday, the International Monetary Fund downgraded its forecast for UK economic growth this year because of the weak first-quarter figure. |
The IMF said it expects UK GDP to grow by 1.7% instead of its previous projection of 2%. | The IMF said it expects UK GDP to grow by 1.7% instead of its previous projection of 2%. |