UK GDP growth confirmed at 0.5% for Q3

According to the ONS, GDP was boosted by export growth, stronger consumer spending and an unexpected leap in business investment. The results follow an estimate of 0.5% made at the end of October with a third estimate due in December. On the year, growth was confirmed at 2.3%, in line with expectations and earlier estimates. Despite a 1% drop in Q2, exports were up 0.7% in the third quarter, while imports fell 1.5% despite a 1.3% jump in Q2. Darren Morgan, an ONS statistician, said: "Investment by businesses held up well in the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum, though it is...