![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Andy-Burnham-Lab-ldr-speech-2-1.png\")
The UK economy grew by 0.4% in the second quarter of the year, a slowdown from the 0.6% growth in the first three months of the year, but evidence of continued resilience to geopolitical pressures.<\/p>\n
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics, said services were once again the main driver of growth, while production was broadly unchanged and construction also grew.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowth slowed in the second quarter of the year, following a strong start to 2026, but remained relatively robust,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Chancellor John Healey said: \u201cI know people are worried about the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on their cost of living, which has been too high for too long and it has added pressure on British businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an active, hands-on government, putting British interests first \u2013 giving breathing space to those feeling the strain, making our country more resilient and bringing hope back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen the fastest growth in the G7 this year, but we now need to double down and drive growth in every postcode.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben Jones, CBI senior lead economist, said: June\u2019s stronger-than-expected growth is encouraging, with the warm weather and start of the World Cup supporting consumer spending. <\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with a solid performance across the second quarter, today\u2019s figures suggest the UK economy has so far proved more resilient to the economic fallout from the Iran war than was widely expected a few months ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge now is\u00a0maintaining\u00a0that momentum. Businesses have become\u00a0somewhat less\u00a0pessimistic recently, but uncertainty around the new government and the Autumn Budget could encourage firms to keep plans on ice. <\/p>\n
\u201cContinued instability in the Middle East also leaves the economy exposed to renewed volatility in energy markets and financial conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the Prime Minister focuses on the cost of living this week, the priority must be to build on the economy\u2019s recent resilience and deliver sustainable growth. <\/p>\n
\u201cTackling the cost of doing business \u2013 from high industrial electricity and employment costs to business rates reform \u2013 will be critical to achieving this goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis would\u00a0help put the economy on a stronger footing to deliver rising real wages and higher living standards across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
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