Commenting on today's GDP figures, Head of GDP Rob Kent-Smith said:

"Growth in the economy picked up in the three months to July. Services grew particularly strongly, with retail sales performing well, boosted by warm weather and the World Cup. The construction sector also bounced back after a weak start to the year.

"However, production fell back, with manufacturing again slipping a little while energy generation and supply fell due to reduced demand.

"The dominant service sector again led economic growth in the month of July with engineers, accountants and lawyers all enjoying a busy period, backed up by growth in construction, which hit another record high level."