UK economy grows faster than first thought amid service sector boost

Britain’s economic growth was stronger than first thought in the second quarter as a hot weather and World Cup boost offset Iran war impacts, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said UK gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.5% between April and June, revised up from the 0.4% previous estimate thanks to stronger growth in the services sector.

It follows growth of 0.6% in the first three months of the year.

But revisions to past data also revealed growth was weaker than first thought last year, with growth of 1.2% for 2025 as a whole, down from the 1.3% previously recorded.

Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said: “Growth for 2025 as a whole was a little lower than previously estimated, with the profile of growth across the quarters also revised.

“However, stronger services growth in the latest quarter means the economy is now slightly larger than previously estimated.”

While the UK economy has so far defied the gloom, experts are predicting a tougher end to the year as soaring energy and fuel prices caused by the Iran war are set to weigh on spending and growth.

The latest forecast from analysts Cornwall Insight on Wednesday warned annual household energy bills could soar by 16% in January – the largest rise for four years.

Most economists are predicting 1.2% growth for the year as a whole, which would point to “virtually no expansion over the second half of this year”, according to WPI Strategy chief economist Martin Beck.

He said: “High petrol prices, rising household energy bills and uncertainty ahead of the Budget are likely to take some momentum out of growth over the coming months.”

The ONS said second-quarter growth in the services sector stood at an upwardly revised 0.6%, with June seeing a bump as firms reported buoyant trade thanks to prolonged hot weather and the start of the World Cup football tournament.

Recent figures also showed the UK economy recorded surprise growth of 0.4% in July as the AI spending boom helped deliver a boost, showing a more resilient than expected to start to the third quarter.

Published: 30/09/2026 by Radio NewsHub