UK economy records strongest quarterly growth in a year as GDP increases by 0.6%

• The UK economy recorded its strongest quarterly growth in a year during the first three months of 2026.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.6% between January and March, surpassing economists' expectations of 0.5%.
• This growth marks the highest since the first quarter of 2025.
• GDP also rose by 0.3% in March, surprising experts who had anticipated a slowdown following the onset of the Iran war.
• Growth was primarily driven by broad increases across the services sector, including wholesale, computer programming, and advertising, alongside slight growth in production and a return to growth in construction.

IN FULL

Boost for Reeves as GDP shows 0.6% growth despite Iran war crisis