UK economy shows surprise growth of 0.1 percent in Q4 2024

Britain's economy grew by 0.1 percent in the final quarter of last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed on Thursday, offering some rare respite from the downbeat economic picture facing finance minister Rachel Reeves.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast that British gross domestic product would shrink by 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter.

GDP rose by 0.4 percent in December from November, much stronger than the 0.1 percent forecast and driven by stronger-than-expected 0.4 percent growth in the large services sector.

However, adjusted for a rising population national output per capita fell by 0.1 percent in the quarter, highlighting the ongoing pressure on living standards and the public finances.