AI helps UK economy grow at fastest pace for more than two years

The UK economy grew 0.7% in the third quarter, its fastest expansion in two and a half years, driven primarily by robust services-sector growth led by information technology and AI-related activities, the Office for National Statistics reported. The quarterly growth rate matched economist expectations and represented the strongest performance since early 2024. September saw a monthly gain of 0.2%, beating forecasts of flat growth, though construction activity declined sharply amid falling private housebuilding.