The UK economy showed remarkable resilience in the third quarter of 2026, achieving its strongest growth since 2024. The expansion was driven by increased spending from businesses and consumers, fueled by the rollout of artificial intelligence. This growth helped the economy weather the energy shock caused by the Iran war.
Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.7% in the third quarter, accelerating from the 0.5% expansion seen in the second quarter. The Office for National Statistics reported this data on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The growth was in line with the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
September alone saw a 0.2% increase in GDP, surpassing predictions of a flat reading. This positive performance highlights the UK's ability to navigate through challenging global conditions.