The UK's exit from recession during the first three months of the year was stronger than initial figures suggested, according to official data.
In an update on its first growth estimate, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.7% between January and March.
It had originally said on 10 May that output was 0.6% up on the previous three months, a positive figure that brought to an end the shallow recession that struck during the second half of 2023 as the effects of Bank of England interest rate rises to combat inflation choked off demand.
All the growth during the January-March period was attributable to the services sector, which accounts for almost 80% of the economy.
The data was the last from the ONS before the country goes to the polls on 4 July, with the economy, and personal finances especially, among the topics high on voters' minds following the effects of the COVID pandemic and energy-driven cost of living crisis.
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