12th Jun 2026 07:20
(Alliance News) - The UK economy contracted 0.1% in April, in line with forecasts, according to data from the Office for National Statistics on Friday.
Monthly gross domestic product contracted by 0.1% in April, following growth of 0.3% in March and 0.4% in February. This was in line with the FXStreet-cited consensus.
This fall was driven by a 0.2% fall in services, which was partially offset by a 0.1% rise in construction. Production showed no growth.
Over the three months to April, real GDP grew by 0.7% compared with the three months to January. This follows 0.6% growth in the period to March and a 0.5% rise in the three months to February.
Services output grew by 0.8%, after also growing by 0.8% in the March period. Production output contracted by 0.1%, after 0.2% growth in the three months to March.
Construction output increased by 1.6%, following a 0.4% rise in the three months to March.
On an annual basis, GDP is estimated to have grown by 1.1% in the three months to April. GDP is estimated to be 1.2% higher in April compared with the same month a year ago.
Also on Friday, trade data showed the UK total goods and services trade deficit widened by GBP7.7 billion to GBP9.9 billion in the three months to April.
Goods imports increased by 1.5%, or GBP800 million, in April. A rise in imports from the EU was partially offset by a fall in non-EU imports.
The value of exports rose by 2.6%, GBP800 million, with increases in both EU and non-EU countries.
The trade in goods deficit widened by GBP7.6 billion to GBP62.5 billion, while the trade in services surplus is estimated to have narrowed by GBP200 million to GBP52.6 billion.
By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter
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