Three pints down their throats: Thirsty football fans watching England and Scotland's World Cup exploits help prop up UK economy during heatwave July

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By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL) and DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 07:13 BST, 11 September 2026 | Updated: 07:23 BST, 11 September 2026

The rate of UK economic growth was unchanged last month as consumers swapped spending in shops for drinking in pubs amid the heatwaves and World Cup.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 per cent in the three months to July - the same rate as for the three months to June, the Office for National Statistics said.

Services grew by 0.6 per cent over the same period, but production and construction both fell by 0.5 per cent.

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: 'Growth remained relatively robust in the latest three months, as ongoing strength in the services sector was only partially offset by falls in both production and construction.

'Within services, computer programming was the largest contributor, continuing the strong growth seen throughout the year, with evidence that businesses involved with AI and related technologies helped to boost this sector.

'Continuing recent trends, research and development and rental and leasing also helped drive growth, while wholesaling saw a notable fall.

'Looking at the latest month, services also drove growth in July, with computer programming again making the largest contribution.

'Separately, as in June, some businesses reported that the warm weather and Fifa World Cup had affected their activity, although effects differed across industries, benefitting some businesses while creating challenges for others.'

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey

Andy Burnham was appointed Prime Minister during July, and the unchanged figure comes after Chancellor John Healey insisted that there was an 'optimistic story' about the UK economy that was 'turning a corner'.

Mr Healey also said earlier this week that his mission was to 'make Great Britain growth Britain' again. 

In June, the UK economy grew 0.3 per cent as hospitality and leisure firms received a boost from football fever and the prolonged hot weather.

It meant GDP expanded by 0.4 per cent during the second quarter of the year.

However, economists had warned activity would be muted in July as other parts of the economy lagged, offsetting the continued World Cup and hot weather boost to hospitality.