Construction boost to UK economy

The UK economy grew by more than initially thought in the second quarter of 2010, boosted by a stronger performance by the construction sector.

The economy grew by 1.2% in the quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is against its initial estimate of 1.1% growth.

Compared with the same quarter of 2009, GDP now shows a rise of 1.7% against the initial estimate of a 1.6% rise published last month.

The better performance came as a result of the ONS revising upwards it estimate for the construction sector which grew by 8.5% in the second quarter against 6.6% previously thought.

There was no change on the initial estimate of 1.0% growth in the production industries (manufacturing, energy and utilities) or in the manufacturing sector's 1.6% growth.

www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/oie0810.pdf