The UK [economy][1] expanded for the third straight month in July as lockdown measures continued to ease, data published by the Office for National Statistics showed Friday.
Gross domestic product expanded 6.6 percent in July from June, when it gained 8.7 percent. GDP was forecast to climb 6.7 percent.
“While it has continued steadily on the path towards recovery, the UK economy still has to make up nearly half of the GDP lost since the start of the pandemic,” ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said.
In three months to July, GDP fell 7.6 percent from the previous three months.
Data showed that the growth in services output eased to 6.1 percent in July from 7.7 percent in June.
Likewise, industrial output rose 5.2 percent, slower than the 9.3 percent increase seen in the previous month. Manufacturing output advanced 6.3 percent.
At the same time, construction output advanced 17.6 percent, but slower than the 23.6 percent increase in June. Farm output grew only 1.1 percent.
Another report from the ONS showed that the visible trade deficit widened to GBP 8.63 billion in July from GBP 6.55 billion in June. Exports fell 0.9 percent on month, while imports grew 5.8 percent in July.
The total trade surplus fell to GBP 1.07 billion from GBP 3.9 billion a month ago.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
[Economic News][1]
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click[here][2] to check out our [Econ Scorecard][2] and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in [GDP][2], [unemployment rate][3], [inflation][4] and much more.