The UK economy unexpectedly grew in the final three months of last year following a boost to the construction and services sectors. The economy expanded by 0.1% between October and December, according to official figures, despite analysts predicting it would contract.

While the headline figure will be greeted with some relief in Downing St, the ONS data shows there is little to celebrate, with a measure for growth by head of population showing a second quarter of contraction.

Britain's economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in the final quarter of last year, official figures showed on Thursday, offering some respite from a downbeat economic picture facing finance minister Rachel Reeves,