The UK economy grew by 0.2% month-on-month in September 2026, outperforming expectations for no growth and following a revised flat reading in August. Services output increased by 0.2% after a 0.1% decline in the previous month, supported mainly by real estate activities, up 0.4%, and transportation and storage, which rose 1.4%.
Construction output climbed 0.8%, ending a run of four consecutive monthly contractions. Both new work and repair and maintenance contributed to the rebound, rising 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively.
Production output advanced 0.3%, easing from a 0.7% gain in August. Growth in manufacturing (0.7%) and mining and quarrying (1.4%) was partly offset by declines in water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities, which fell 1.7%, and in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, down 0.3%.
On an annual basis, GDP expanded by 2.1% in September, above market expectations of 1.9% and slightly higher than the revised 2.0% increase recorded in August.
