LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) – Britain’s economy grew by 0.1% in May, in line with the median forecast in a Reuters poll of economists, as the country’s services sector expanded, official data showed on Thursday.
Industrial production and construction both contracted during the month, the Office for National Statistics said.
In the three months to May, economic output grew by 0.7%, slowing slightly from an upwardly revised 0.8% in the three months to April.
“The economy recorded robust growth in the three months to May, though the pace eased slightly as the latest two months showed a weaker picture,” Liz McKeown, the ONS’ director of economic statistics, said.
“Services drove growth across the three months with computer programming and advertising again leading the way, while the often-volatile pharmaceutical industry also performed well,” she added.
Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Muvija M and David Milliken.
