UK exports and business investment help second-quarter GDP growth

ONS data shows net trade made its biggest contribution to growth in four years, as 0.7% increase in GDP is confirmed

Exports and business investment helped the UK economy expand in the second quarter, according to official figures that confirmed a pickup in growth after a sluggish start to the year.

The Office for National Statistics said GDP rose 0.7% in the three months to the end of June, unchanged from an estimate made a month ago but a marked acceleration on 0.4% in the first quarter. Further details from the ONS on Friday showed that net trade made its biggest contribution to growth for four years.