The UK economy experienced sluggish growth of 0.3 per cent in the second quarter of the year, according to official data, marking another significant blow for Chancellor Rachel Reeves' aspirations for higher growth.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) maintained its previous growth estimate as it confirmed the figures for the second quarter's growth, a development that is likely to be met with caution by Treasury officials.

This figure is significantly lower than the 0.7 per cent growth observed in the first three months of the year, with businesses reporting that they had accelerated spending earlier in the year to pre-empt any potential global tariffs war instigated by President Trump.

A one per cent surge in construction and a 0.4 per cent increase in the services sector prevent

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