Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including the latest UK growth report Today’s GDP report also highlights weakness at service sector firms focused on consumers. The UK’s consumer-facing services sector shrank by 0.6% in the three months to August, dragged down by: travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities (down 7.6%) other personal service activities (down 3.4%) buying and selling, renting and operating of own or leased real estate, excluding imputed rent (down 1.0%) “We have seen the fastest growth in the G7 since the start of the year, but for too many people our economy feels stuck. Working day in, day out without getting ahead. The Chancellor is determined to turn this around by helping businesses in every town and high street grow, investing in infrastructure and cutting red tape to get Britain building.” Continue reading...

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