UK GDP expands 1.4% year-on-year in the second quarter

The United Kingdom economy expanded by 1.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026. The print accelerated from the 0.8% rise recorded in the first quarter and beat the preliminary estimate of 1.2%. This performance marked the strongest economic expansion for the country since the first quarter of 2025.

By sector, growth was driven primarily by a 1.7% increase in services output. Industrial production grew by 0.4%, while construction output fell by 1.0%.

On the demand side, household consumption and government consumption each rose by 1.2%. Gross fixed capital formation advanced by 3.1%, led by a 5.2% increase in business investment. Exports rose by 4.2% while imports grew by 2.5%, which generated a positive contribution from net trade.