Key facts
- Britain's economy grew by 0.3% in June, surpassing economists' expectations.
- The UK economy expanded by 0.4% in the second quarter.
- The information and communications sector was a key driver of Q2 growth.
- Investment in computer hardware and AI-related activities surged.
- Manufacturing output in computing, electronic and optical products saw significant annual growth.
Britain's economy showed signs of benefiting from the global artificial intelligence boom, with official data revealing growth in related industries and a surge in computer hardware investment. The economy grew by 0.3% in June, exceeding forecasts of zero growth. For the second quarter, GDP expanded by 0.4%, with the information and communications sector contributing nearly half of that growth. Within this sector, computer programming, consultancy, and related activities saw a 3.7% increase on the quarter, following a similar rise in the previous quarter. Spending on plant and machinery across the economy grew strongly, reaching £22.1 billion ($29.8 billion) in the second quarter, driven by ICT equipment and computer hardware. Output in British computing, electronic, and optical product manufacturing also saw a significant annual increase of 10.7%. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made AI a priority, signaling a focus on British ownership and technological sovereignty.