, which published the data, said there were three factors that affected growth in June - the number of working days, weather and industrial action. He said while the economy bounced back from May's extra Bank Holiday for the King's Coronation, the manufacturing industry - and cars in particular - saw strong growth. "Services also had a strong month with publishing and car sales and legal services all doing well, though this was partially offset by falls in health, which was hit by further strike action," he said. "Construction also grew strongly, as did pubs and restaurants, with both aided by the hot weather." While June's growth was better than expected, the UK remains only G7 country of so-called advanced economies not to see its gross domestic product (GDP) return to pre-Covid levels, based on the latest quarterly figures. James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation think-tank, said the 0.2% quarterly growth figure showed the UK's "relative resilience", but pointed out that the economy had expanded by just 0.4% since the start of 2022 - the weakest growth in 65 years outside of a "full-blown recession". "Such weak growth will feel like a recession to many as families struggle with the ever-rising cost of essentials and higher mortgage repayments," he said. Image caption, Phil Simpson, managing director of Lancaster Brewery Phil Simpson, managing director of Lancaster Brewery which has venues in south Cumbria and north L){kind=link}
Warm weather in June helped lift UK economic growth by more than expected, according to official figures.
Higher temperatures boosted pubs, restaurants and the construction industry, lifting the economy by 0.5%.
The stronger data meant that the economy expanded by 0.2% between April and June.
However, strikes by NHS workers weighed on output in June and fears of a recession remain over the UK’s longer-term growth.
Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which published the data, said there were three factors that affected the UK in June – the number of working days, weather and industrial action.