National

UK economy shows unexpected growth of 0.3% in March

People walk on Oxford Street in London, Britain, March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
People walk on Oxford Street in London, Britain, March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo Reuters

LONDON - Britain's economy expanded unexpectedly in March by 0.3%, official data showed on Thursday.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a 0.2% month-on-month contraction in gross domestic product during March.

For the first quarter as a whole, the economy grew by 0.6%, the Office for National Statistics said, matching expectations.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce and Suban Abdulla; Editing by Muvija M)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 2:18 AM.

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