UK growth slows in third quarter, dealing blow to Labour government [Video]

Britain’s economy grew less than expected in the third quarter, official data showed on Friday, dealing a blow to the Labour government that has set its sights on growth expansion.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.1 percent in the July-September period, a slowdown compared to 0.5-percent growth in the second quarter, the Office for National Statistics said.

The data covers the period of the Labour government’s first few months in office in the lead up to its highly anticipated maiden budget at the end of October.

The figure lagged behind economist forecasts of 0.2-percent growth, with analysts partly attributing the slowdown to uncertainty ahead of the budget.

“Improving economic growth is at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve, which is why I am not satisfied with these numbers,” …