Demand

Summary

UK real GDP rose by 1.2% in 2010 Q2 and is provisionally estimated to have increased by 0.8% in Q3. Growth in the second quarter was driven by final domestic demand and stockbuilding. Net trade in goods supported growth, but that was more than offset by an adverse contribution from services trade. The October Spending Review set out plans for government spending over the next four years, consistent with the reduction in public sector net borrowing announced in the June Budget. The world economy has grown strongly in recent quarters. But, as in the United Kingdom, a continuation of the recovery in private final demand will need to supplant the waning boost from stockbuilding if growth is to be sustained.