The UK economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, marking a stronger start to the year for the economy.
Growth was driven primarily by the services sector, which expanded by 0.8% between January and March. Construction output increased by 0.4%, while production edged up 0.2%.
The figures represent an acceleration in economic activity following weaker performance at the end of 2025.
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics, said: “Growth picked up in the first quarter of the year, led by broad-based increases across the services sector.
“Within that, wholesale, computer programming and advertising performed particularly well.
“Production also grew slightly, while construction returned to growth, though only partly reversing weakness at the end of last year.”
