Slowing construction holds back UK GDP
Weak performance in the manufacturing and construction sectors has dragged down overall growth in GDP, as the services sector experienced a slight rise.
A downturn in construction activity caused UK GDP growth to slow in the three months to the end of June, according to the latest Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) figures.
Construction growth has been slowing since the start of the year, according to ONS data, and after a 0.2% rise in the first quarter, April to June saw activity go into reverse, falling by 0.9%.
The ONS said that overall GDP growth of 0.3% versus the previous three months had been fuelled by an uplift in the services sector, particularly the retail trade.
