Third quarter of growth for UK economy

Figures likely to show the UK economy has enjoyed a third successive quarter of improved growth should give a fresh boost to Chancellor George Osborne.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Oct 2013, 01:01 BST

Economists predict gross domestic product (GDP) for the three months to the end of September will have increased by 0.8 per cent, after climbing 0.7 per cent in the previous period and 0.4 per cent before that.

Data from the Office for National Statistics looks set to provide the second slice of economic cheer this week after separate statistics showing that surging stamp duty revenues helped public borrowing come in £1bn lower in September than last year.

Growth of 0.8 per cent would be the strongest level recorded for three years and some experts think it could be nearer one per cent, amid buoyant survey data from a number of sectors.

However, official figures showed slowdowns in construction and manufacturing during August.