The UK economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, accelerating from 0.5% in Q2. Services led the expansion, with computer programming and IT consultancy output rising 4.4%.
By Adam Ujazdowski. Originally published in Polish on November 12, 2026, at 08:12:58 UTC.
The first estimate from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) put GDP 1.9% above its level a year earlier. Quarterly growth was the fastest in two and a half years.
Services lead the expansion
Services output increased 0.9% in Q3, making the largest contribution to overall growth. Construction output fell 0.7%, while the production sector, including industry, grew just 0.1%.
Business services and information and communication activities were among the areas growing more quickly.
Programming and IT consultancy grow 4.4%
Output in computer programming, IT consultancy and related activities increased 4.4% over the quarter. That is the industry’s own growth rate, rather than its contribution to the change in national GDP.
The ONS said rapidly expanding IT businesses included companies involved in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. It could not, however, quantify how much of the growth was attributable to AI.
September GDP rises 0.2%
Monthly GDP increased 0.2% in September. The ONS also revised its August estimate to show no growth, down from an initially reported increase of 0.1%.
The quarterly result matched the expectations of economists surveyed by Reuters. These figures are the ONS’s first estimate and may be revised as further information becomes available.
UK quarterly GDP growth
Quarter-on-quarter GDP change (%)
Source: ONS, first GDP estimate for Q3 2026. Seasonally adjusted data.
