ONS confirms growth in UK GDP

• The ONS left the quarterly growth estimate unchanged, but revised the annual figure for 2025 to 1.3%.
• Household income after inflation and taxes fell, and the savings rate dropped to 8.9%.
• All three main sectors of the economy posted growth, with services making the largest contribution.

In the United Kingdom, GDP in the first quarter of 2026 rose by 0.6%, while the figure for 2025 was revised to 1.3% from 1.4%, the Office for National Statistics said.

At the same time, real disposable household income in January-March fell by 0.8% due to rising prices and tax changes. This was the fourth quarter out of five in which this indicator declined.

According to the ONS, all three main sectors of the economy grew in the first quarter. Services added 0.8%, while industry and construction each rose by 0.2%.

The household savings rate fell to 8.9% from 9.6% in the previous quarter. The data also showed that in April the economy contracted by 0.1% after growing by 0.3% in March.

The ONS separately noted that real GDP per capita rose by 0.6% in the first quarter and by 0.7% over the year.

Tags: Europe/Economy