UK interest rate rise likely as GDP beats forecast to grow by 0.4%

Services sector drives faster-than-expected expansion of economy in the third quarter, but uncertainty over Brexit deal still affecting long-term outlook

British consumers have been put on notice for an interest rate rise next week, as official figures show the economy expanding faster than expected in the three months to September.

GDP grew by 0.4% in the third quarter of 2017 following expansion of 0.3% in the three months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics. City economists had forecast growth of 0.3%.

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