UK economy returns to growth in November

ONS data show the UK economy rose 0.3% in November, and revised figures put growth at 0.1% for the three months to November, driven by services and a phased manufacturing restart.

Official Office for National Statistics figures show the UK economy expanded by 0.3% in November. Revised earlier data mean the three months to November grew by 0.1%. The increase reflected stronger services activity and a phased restart of manufacturing after a cyber incident at a Jaguar Land Rover plant. These figures arrived amid uncertainty around the late Autumn Budget. Key facts: - The ONS reported GDP rose 0.3% in November and the three-month change to November was 0.1% after revisions. - Consumer-facing services output increased by 0.5% in the quarter to November, with travel agents and tour operators recording the largest gains; retail trade and sport or recreation services also picked up. - Manufacturing showed a fall over the three-month period, which was affected by a cyber incident that reduced car production earlier in the autumn, though monthly data indicate manufacturing has largely recovered. - Construction contracted again, marking its largest three-month decline in nearly three years. - Commentators noted early December indicators pointed to weaker trading, including softer jobs signals, subdued card spending and fragile business sentiment. Summary: The November rise offers a modest upward revision to recent GDP trends and provides some relief for policymakers and service-sector firms. Weakness in construction and the earlier manufacturing disruption remain evident, and early indicators for December point to softer activity, leaving near-term prospects uncertain.