Britain's economy grew by a worse than expected 0.9 per cent in the third quarter, downwardly revised data showed yesterday, sparking fresh speculation over a possible "triple dip" recession, analysts said.
"UK gross domestic product (GDP) ... increased by 0.9 per cent between the second and third quarter of 2012, revised from the previously estimated increase of 1.0 per cent," the Office for National Statistics said.
The slight downgrade was due to downward revisions to output from production and service industries, and to household consumption. Market expectations had been for no change.
Despite the news, Britain - a member of the European Union but not the euro zone - still powered out of its longest double-dip recession since the 1950s between July and September.
However, third-quarter growth was boosted by one-off factors, including the London 2012 Olympic Games and rebounding activity after an extra public holiday for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.
Many experts believe that the British economy could experience a renewed downturn this quarter.