The UK economy unexpectedly grew in May, which shows that consumers and businesses are more resilient than expected in the face of political turmoil and rising energy prices. The UK Office for National Statistics said on Thursday that GDP rose 0.1% in May and fell 0.1% in April. Economists had expected this figure to remain flat. Driven by strong performance in medical science research and development and retail, the service sector grew 0.3% month-on-month in May, and warm weather prompted consumers to go shopping in stores. Meanwhile, construction declined by 0.8% and industrial production by 0.5%, as small increases in manufacturing were offset by declines in energy and utility output. In the context of the economy sandwiched between political turmoil and the energy crisis, the overall economy showed a moderate improvement.

The UK economy unexpectedly grew in May, which shows that consumers and businesses are more resilient than expected in the face of political turmoil and rising energy prices. The UK Office for National Statistics said on Thursday that GDP rose 0.1% in May and fell 0.1% in April. Economists had expected this figure to remain flat. Driven by strong performance in medical science research and development and retail, the service sector grew 0.3% month-on-month in May, and warm weather prompted consumers to go shopping in stores. Meanwhile, construction declined by 0.8% and industrial production by 0.5%, as small increases in manufacturing were offset by declines in energy and utility output. In the context of the economy sandwiched between political turmoil and the energy crisis, the overall economy showed a moderate improvement.