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UK GDP rises 0.7% in third quarter, ONS says
The U.K. economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026, matching forecasts and faster than 0.5% in the second quarter, CNBC reported, citing the Office for National Statistics.
- New headline Was: “UK economic growth picks up to 0.7% in third quarter”
- Our desk filed its story
The U.K. economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026 from the previous quarter, matching economists' forecasts in a Reuters poll, CNBC reported, citing the Office for National Statistics1,2.
The ONS said real GDP rose 0.7% in July to September after 0.5% growth in April to June, and was 1.9% higher than a year earlier2.
CNBC said first-quarter growth was 0.6%1.
ONS figures showed services output up 0.9% in the third quarter, production up 0.1% and construction down 0.7%1,2.
The statistics office said growth was mainly from business-facing services, including information and communication, and that computer programming, consultancy and related activities rose 4.4%2.
Monthly GDP grew 0.2% in September after no growth in August, which ONS revised down from a previously reported 0.1% increase, and 0.4% growth in July1,2.
Real GDP per head rose 0.7% in the third quarter and was 1.7% higher than a year earlier, ONS said2.
ONS noted that early GDP estimates are subject to revision as more data arrive2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
2 versions from 1 source
UK economic growth picks up to 0.7% in third quarter
Growth matching estimates and the services-led pickup versus the prior quarter.
CNBC reports U.K. GDP grew 0.7% in the third quarter, in line with a Reuters poll, with services up 0.9% offsetting weak production and a construction drop.
Leaves out Detailed ONS breakdowns of subsectors, GDP per head and monthly revisions.
GDP first quarterly estimate, UK: July to September 2026
Official output, expenditure and per-head figures and revision caveats.
ONS first quarterly estimate: real GDP up 0.7% in Q3 2026 after 0.5% in Q2, with services the main driver.