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UK GDP highs and lows UK GDP highs and lows
(5 months later)
Bright spotsBright spots
Car sales
Much of the economy's unexpectedly strong performance came within the dominant services sector, with motor trades particularly strong. New car registrations in March were almost 6% higher than a year ago, according to the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders.		Car sales
Much of the economy's unexpectedly strong performance came within the dominant services sector, with motor trades particularly strong. New car registrations in March were almost 6% higher than a year ago, according to the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Business services
Another bright spot in the services sector was business services, such as consultancy and accountancy, with Britain's army of lawyers faring particularly well in the first quarter. Output from the business services sector was 1.2% higher than a year earlier.		Business services
Another bright spot in the services sector was business services, such as consultancy and accountancy, with Britain's army of lawyers faring particularly well in the first quarter. Output from the business services sector was 1.2% higher than a year earlier.
Government
Despite the Treasury's plans for tightening the government's purse strings, government and other services, which includes healthcare and education, for example, expanded by 0.5%, making a positive contribution to GDP growth.		Government
Despite the Treasury's plans for tightening the government's purse strings, government and other services, which includes healthcare and education, for example, expanded by 0.5%, making a positive contribution to GDP growth.
North Sea oil and gas
Within the 0.2% rise in total production, there was a sharp 3.2% increase in "mining and quarrying" output over the quarter, which mainly resulted from a bounce-back in North Sea oil and gas production after a major facility was shut for maintenance at the end of 2012.		North Sea oil and gas
Within the 0.2% rise in total production, there was a sharp 3.2% increase in "mining and quarrying" output over the quarter, which mainly resulted from a bounce-back in North Sea oil and gas production after a major facility was shut for maintenance at the end of 2012.
Gas and electricity
One predictable effect of the colder-than-average weather this year was that householders kept their heating turned up higher for longer, increasing output from the utilities sector by 0.5% over the quarter.		Gas and electricity
One predictable effect of the colder-than-average weather this year was that householders kept their heating turned up higher for longer, increasing output from the utilities sector by 0.5% over the quarter.
Economic weak spotsEconomic weak spots
Manufacturing
Vince Cable and George Osborne hoped for a rebound in British industry to help build a more sustainable economy, but manufacturing declined by 0.3% in the first quarter and remains just 3% higher than during the depths of the recession in 2009.		Manufacturing
Vince Cable and George Osborne hoped for a rebound in British industry to help build a more sustainable economy, but manufacturing declined by 0.3% in the first quarter and remains just 3% higher than during the depths of the recession in 2009.
Construction
The building sector has been hammered since 2008 by lack of demand from the public sector and the continuing weakness in the housing market. Construction output was down 2.5% over the quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics, its weakest performance since the start of 2012. Osborne's £5.4bn help-to-buy scheme, announced in last month's budget, is partly aimed at boosting housebuilding with loans to buyers and guarantees on mortgages. The ONS said new work for builders in January and February, excluding infrastructure projects, was at its lowest level since monthly records began.		Construction
The building sector has been hammered since 2008 by lack of demand from the public sector and the continuing weakness in the housing market. Construction output was down 2.5% over the quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics, its weakest performance since the start of 2012. Osborne's £5.4bn help-to-buy scheme, announced in last month's budget, is partly aimed at boosting housebuilding with loans to buyers and guarantees on mortgages. The ONS said new work for builders in January and February, excluding infrastructure projects, was at its lowest level since monthly records began.
Agriculture
The coldest March in 50 years resulted in a tough period for Britain's farmers. Production declined by 3.7% in the first quarter, though these days it accounts for such a small share of the economy that it shaved only 0.02% off overall GDP.		Agriculture
The coldest March in 50 years resulted in a tough period for Britain's farmers. Production declined by 3.7% in the first quarter, though these days it accounts for such a small share of the economy that it shaved only 0.02% off overall GDP.
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