British Economy Grew More Than Estimated in Second Quarter

The British economy grew more than previously thought in the second quarter, boosted by a strong showing in the construction sector.

The UK economy grew 1.2% from April through June, the fastest quarterly expansion in more than nine years, the country's Office for National Statistics said. The previous estimate was growth of 1.1%.

Economic activity in the construction sector grew by 8.5% in the quarter, compared with a previous estimate of 6.6%.

A Treasury spokesman told BBC News "While the government is cautiously optimistic about the path for the economy, the job is not yet done.

"The priority remains to implement the Budget policies which support economic rebalancing and help ensure the sustained growth that the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast this year and next."

Still, it is not clear if the strong performance in the second quarter is sustainable.

"Instead of looking in the rear view mirror at what has passed, it would be wiser for us to keep our eyes on the road ahead," Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, told BBC News. "We don't expect this level of growth to be sustained through the second half of 2010.