UK economy returns to growth

The UK economy returned to growth in August with GDP expanding by 0.2%. Economists have rolled back the chances of the UK falling into recession following the release of the figures from the Office for National Statistics, which were in line with City analysts’ expectations. However, August’s growth does not recoup losses generated in July, when the economy contracted by a worse-than-feared 0.6%. Unseasonably wet weather deterred both consumer spending and construction activity. Construction output contracted by 0.5% in August. Across the three months to August growth came in at 0.3%. The Times (£)