The UK economy grew more strongly than expected in November, according to official figures, offering signs of resilience after months of weak performance.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.3% during the month, following a 0.1% contraction in October.
Economists said the figures also suggested that nervousness about Finance Minister Rachel Reeves' annual budget statement on 26 November had not affected output as much as feared.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecasted a smaller increase of around 0.1%.
Growth was driven mainly by the services sector, which accounts for roughly 80% of the UK economy. Services output increased by 0.3%, supported by gains in professional services, retail and hospitality. The ONS said consumer-facing services also showed modest improvement after recent falls.
Manufacturing output rose by 0.7% in November, making a significant contribution to overall growth. The increase was partly due to a recovery in car production after disruption earlier in the year, including a cyberattack that affected operations at some major manufacturers.
However, the construction sector’s output fell by 0.2%, continuing a trend of weakness linked to higher borrowing costs and subdued investment in new projects.
Inflation has eased in recent months, raising expectations that the Bank of England may begin cutting interest rates later this year.
A Treasury spokesperson said the government was making the economy “work for working people” by “reversing years if underinvestment” in infrastructure.
The latest data will be closely watched by policymakers.
Stuart Morrison, research manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said companies were not showing a lot of relief after they were spared a repeat of the big tax increases included in Reeves' first budget in 2024.
"Firms are telling us they're still cautious about investing and recruiting, meaning growth will stay limited for the foreseeable," Morrison said.
The government has placed economic growth at the centre of its agenda, and the figures provide some positive momentum. However, economists caution that a single month of stronger data does not signal a sustained recovery.
The UK economy grew more strongly than expected in November, according to official figures, offering signs of resilience after months of weak performa...
Canada and China have signalled a reset in bilateral relations during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Beijing, with both sides ...
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition ...
U.S. citizens in Iran have been advised to leave the country as soon as possible, amid growing instability in the region and concerns that travel rout...
Russia has said it is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and the United States as tensions escalate over protests in Iran and warnings of possibl...
The U.S. and UK are reducing personnel at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base as President Donald Trump weighs possible action against Iran over its violent crackdown on protesters.
The British embassy in Tehran has been temporarily closed, with services now operating remotely, the government announced Wednesday.
The United Kingdom and the United States are withdrawing military personnel from bases in the Middle East as tensions with Iran rise, following Tehran’s warning to regional allies that it would target U.S. bases if Washington takes military action.
The BBC will file a motion to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit which is based on the editing of a speech appearing to encourage storming the U.S. Capitol on 6 January.
The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
Israel and Arab States have urged the U.S. to delay any potential military action against Iran, warning that such a move could undermine ongoing protests inside the country, according to NBC News.
Romania has reiterated its openness to discussions on a potential unification with neighbouring Republic of Moldova, following recent remarks by Moldova’s president.
China recorded the world’s largest-ever trade surplus in 2025, reaching $1.2 trillion as exporters shifted focus away from the U.S. amid ongoing trade tensions.
A coalition of women’s rights organisations, technology watchdogs and progressive campaigners is urging Apple and Google, owned by Alphabet, to remove the social media platform X and its associated chatbot, Grok, from their app stores.
Boeing booked more aircraft orders than Airbus in 2025 for the first time since 2018, official figures showed, even as the European manufacturer delivered more planes during the year.
U.S. oil major Chevron and private equity firm Quantum Capital Group are reportedly preparing a joint bid to acquire Lukoil’s international assets, as the sanctioned Russian energy company seeks to divest its overseas operations.
The U.S. dollar's share of global reserves fell to nearly 40% at the end of 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which says it's 10% lower than at the start of 2024. However, gold has risen and overtaken the dollar to be above 50% in global reserves according to the IMF data.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment