LONDON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Britain's monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) edged up 0.1 percent in August 2026, with the production sector as the only one recording growth, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed Thursday.
The figure followed a 0.4 percent growth in July, and a revised 0.4 percent increase in June.
In August, the production sector recorded 0.8 percent growth, while the services sector showed no expansion and the construction sector posted a fall of 0.2 percent, the ONS said.
"Growth in August remained lukewarm with just 0.1 percent added, and it is clear many sectors are still struggling to make headway amidst global headwinds. Firms are facing significant pressures from the cost of doing business, as the Middle East conflict continues to ratchet up energy prices," said Stuart Morrison, research manager at the British Chambers of Commerce.
UK's real GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.7 percent in the three months to August compared with the three months to May, mainly driven by the services sector, while both production and construction fell, said ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz McKeown. She underlined the role of strong services growth in June and July despite the zero expansion in August.
The growth of the services sector was led by professional, scientific and technical activities, and information and communication, Morrison said, noting computer programming and consultancy as the largest single industry contributor to three-month growth for six months in a row.
Ben Jones, senior lead economist at the Confederation of British Industry, argued there would be a more subdued end to 2026, as it is difficult to maintain growth momentum amid rising inflation and tightening financial conditions. ■