The UK economy expanded by 0.3% month-on-month in June 2026, following flat growth in May and defying market expectations for no change. The upturn was chiefly driven by a 0.4% increase in services output. Within services, the strongest positive contribution came from professional, scientific and technical activities, which grew by 1.0%. This was underpinned in particular by scientific research and development, which climbed to its highest level since January 2025, as well as by stronger legal services.
Administrative and support service activities (up 1.8%) and information and communication (up 0.9%) also supported overall GDP growth. The strength in services more than offset declines in other sectors: production output fell by 0.2%, while construction activity edged down 0.1%.
On an annual basis, GDP increased by 1.1% in June, a slight slowdown from a revised 1.2% in May but still above market forecasts of 0.8%. Over the three months to June, GDP rose by 0.4%, following a revised 0.6% increase in the previous three-month period.
