UK economic growth held steady at 0.4 per cent in the three months to July, official figures showed, as strong services activity offset falls in production and construction.
The Office for National Statistics said the economy expanded by 0.4 per cent in July alone, following growth of 0.3 per cent in June and no change in May. It was the eighth consecutive period of three-month growth. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/july2026))
Services output rose by 0.6 per cent over the three months to July, while production and construction each fell by 0.5 per cent. Computer programming, scientific research and development, and rental and leasing were among the strongest contributors.
The ONS said computer programming, consultancy and related activities grew by 3.5 per cent in July, with many of the businesses reporting the largest increases in turnover involved in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/july2026))
Liz McKeown, the ONS director of economic statistics, said growth had remained “relatively robust”, with the strength of the services sector only partly offset by declines in production and construction.
She added that warm weather and the Fifa World Cup had affected businesses in different ways, boosting turnover for some industries while presenting challenges for others. The ONS said July was provisionally the UK’s second warmest on record, while pubs, clubs and alcohol manufacturers reported benefits from the tournament. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/july2026))
GDP was estimated to be 1.3 per cent higher in the three months to July than during the same period a year earlier, although construction output remained 2.3 per cent lower over that period. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/july2026))
The figures come after Chancellor John Healey said earlier this week that there was an “optimistic story” about the economy and that Britain was “turning a corner”. He has pledged to “make Great Britain, Growth Britain again” through increased investment, innovation and job creation.
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July, with the latest figures providing an early test of the Government’s claims that the economy is beginning to regain momentum.
However, the ONS warned that the figures remain subject to revision as more data become available. The next release, due on October 15, will include revisions linked to the 2026 Blue Book and the latest quarterly national accounts. ([ons.gov.uk](https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/gdpmonthlyestimateuk/july2026))
