UK economy expands by 0.7 per cent in third quarter

The United Kingdom economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2026, the Daily Mail reported. The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product increased between July and September, accelerating from 0.5 per cent growth recorded in the second quarter. [1]

The Office for National Statistics noted that this performance marked the strongest quarterly growth for the economy since the first three months of 2024. The Daily Mail reported that the expansion was boosted by technology services and artificial intelligence. [1]

The economic growth follows earlier pressure on household budgets. As FTMQ News reported earlier, British families faced an average Christmas expenditure of 1,500 pounds this year, which was 400 pounds higher than the previous year and pushed a third of people towards festive debt. [2]

The financial context also includes recent changes to public spending. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Chancellor John Healey ordered government departments to cut capital budgets by one per cent to help cover a 4.7 billion pound shortfall in the 15 billion pound Defence Investment Plan. [3]