UK GDP growth weak at 0.2% in Q2

This was in line with economists' expectations but still down on the 0.5% recorded for the first three months of the year. Weaker private consumption dragged on growth, with total services output declining 0.4%. The manufacturing sector also dragged on growth, with production decreasing by 0.3%, compared to an increase of 0.7% in the Q1. Business services and finance were the largest contributors to growth, increasing 0.7%, up on the 0.4% increase the previous quarter. The ONS said it is difficult to pinpoint an exact cause for the low growth figure but stated ‘special events' s...