UK GDP growth lifted by hot weather and World Cup

Retail sales pick up, while construction sector bounces back after weak start to year

The hottest summer since records began helped the British economy gather strength in the three months to July, as shoppers hit the high street and England progressed to the semi-finals at the World Cup.

The Office for National Statistics said GDP increased by 0.6% in the period from a rate of 0.4% in the previous three months, driven by a rise in activity in Britain's dominant services sector. The latest snapshot beat forecasts made by City economists for slower growth of 0.5% in the three months to July.