UK economy unexpectedly grows 0.1% in August despite fall in consumer spending

Latest data comes just two weeks before chancellor's budget looks to help consumers traverse the cost of living crisis

The UK economy unexpectedly continued to grow in August despite a fall in consumer spending before chancellor John Healey's budget.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.1% last month, compared with 0.4% growth in July. City economists had forecast the economy would shrink by 0.1%.