UK GDP figures show solid end to 2016 despite Brexit vote
by Julia Kollewe from on (#2AA6H)
TUC chief warns against government complacency as economy expands by 0.6% in the final three months of year
Buoyant consumer spending kept the UK economy growing at the brisk pace of 0.6% in the final quarter of 2016, marking a strong finish to the year despite the Brexit vote.
The initial estimate for fourth-quarter GDP from the Office for National Statistics matched the 0.6% growth recorded in the third and second quarters. It was a touch better than the 0.5% rise expected by City economists. The pound hit a fresh six-week high of $1.2673 just before the data was released.
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