UK economic growth revised higher in first quarter

Surprise as ONS upgrades earlier estimates after improved construction figures

The UK economy grew at a faster rate than initially thought in the first three months of 2018, raising hopes for a pick-up in growth after the sluggish start to the year.

The Office for National Statistics unexpectedly revised higher its third and final estimate for UK growth in the first quarter to 0.2%, after two earlier estimates of 0.1%.

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