GDP monthly estimate, UK: April 2026

The UK’s real GDP grew by 0.7% in the three months to April 2026, driven by a 0.8% rise in services and a 1.6% increase in construction, despite a 0.1% contraction in production. However, monthly GDP shrank by 0.1% in April alone, marking a decline after growth of 0.3% in March and 0.4% in February, with services output falling by 0.2%." "article": "The UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.7% in the three months ending April 2026, continuing a trend of steady expansion. This follows growth of 0.6% in the three months to March 2026 and 0.5% in the three months to February 2026, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive growth. The increase was primarily driven by a 0.8% rise in services output, which matched the growth rate seen in the previous quarter. Construction output surged by 1.6%, reversing five consecutive declines from October 2025 to February 2026. However, production output contracted by 0.1%, contrasting with a 0.2% growth in the prior period. On a monthly basis, GDP fell by 0.1% in April 2026, ending a streak of growth in March (0.3%) and February (0.4%). The decline was largely due to a 0.2% drop in services, partially offset by a 0.1% rise in construction. Production output showed no growth in April. The ONS noted improvements in this release, including better coverage of government health output, now incorporating prescription drugs, mental healthcare, and community health services. These changes are expected to enhance future revisions and accuracy of monthly health data. No periods in this release are open for revision, but figures from Quarter 1 (January to March) 2024 will be revisited in the next quarterly national accounts publication on June 30, 2026. Revisions will be incorporated into the GDP monthly estimate bulletin on July 16, 2026. Early GDP estimates remain subject to adjustments as more data becomes available.