Business Today
Business live
UK economy returned to growth in October with 0.5% rise in GDP
Live / UK economy returned to growth in October with 0.5% rise in GDP
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including October’s GDP report at 7am
Headlines
Manufacturing / Fears for UK economy after sector shrinks by 4%
Fears for UK economy after sector shrinks by 4%
Housing market / Average asking price of UK homes down by 2.1% in a month, says Rightmove
Energy bills / UK power prices hit record high amid cold snap and lack of wind power
Brexit / Watchdog reprimands Tories over £800bn trade deals claim
Avanti / Rail passenger hits out at £589 ticket ‘masterclass in poor service’
Twitter / Blue tick service relaunched with higher price for iPhone users
P&O Ferries / TUC seeks changes to draft law to help seafarers after sackings scandal
Avanti / Strip firm of rail contracts if services don’t improve, mayors demand
Royal Mail / Traders fear loss of peak Christmas sales as courier moves cutoff dates
Rail strikes / Joy over extra UK train services scheduled to turn to woe
China / Economists hail end to zero-Covid policy but huge human toll is feared
Today's agenda
GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.5% in October 2022, the Office for Budget Responsibility reports, following a fall of 0.6% in September 2022, which was affected by the additional bank holiday for the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

That’s slightly stronger than economists expected (the poll was for 0.4% growth).

The broader picture, though, is that the UK economy shrank by 0.3% in the three months to October, compared with the three months to July.

This morning’s GDP report shows that the UK’s services sector returned to growth in October.

The Office for National Statistics reports that the services sector grew by 0.6% in October 2022 and was the main driver of the growth in GDP.

The ONS says:The services sector grew by 0.6% in October 2022, after falling by 0.8% in September 2022; the largest contribution to the growth came from wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, which rose by 1.9% in the month.

But the production sector was flat, although manufacturing did grow, while construction output increased by 0.8%.

The ONS explains:Manufacturing was the only sub-sector to grow, rising by 0.7% in the month. The main drivers were the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations (up 8.4%) and manufacture of transport equipment (up 2.3%).

The agenda
• 
7am GMT: UK GDP report for October
• 7am GMT: UK trade report for October
• 1pm GMT: Economic thinktank NIESR releases monthly UK GDP tracker for November
• 3.15pm GMT: UK Treasury committee holds hearing with senior officials on work of the Treasury

We’ll be tracking all the main events throughout the day ...
Opinion
It is soaring energy costs fuelling UK inflation – not humble pay rises
It is soaring energy costs fuelling UK inflation – not humble pay rises
Analysis / How much would a public sector pay rise really cost the UK government?
Analysis / Bank of England likely to spoil the festive mood with new rate rise
As Britain’s workers reach their limits, the government has no option but to negotiate
Media
Rupert Murdoch / Is Dominion’s $1.6bn defamation lawsuit a death blow for tycoon and Fox News?
Is Dominion’s $1.6bn defamation lawsuit a death blow for tycoon and Fox News?
Sky News Australia / Chris Smith apologises for ‘humiliating’ behaviour at Christmas party
You might also enjoy
Sign up to TechScape
Subscribe for Alex Hern's weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives
Spotlight
Mercedes faces dilemma over dependence on Russia and China
Star-crossed / Mercedes faces dilemma over dependence on Russia and China
Moscow provides Germany with power, and the Chinese buy the company’s cars in their thousands, but now war and global tensions are darkening the diplomatic weather
Popular on business
Buy now, don’t pay later: how UK families are turning to freebies
Buy now, don’t pay later: how UK families are turning to freebies
Infamy, infamy … the Brexit legions have still got it in for Sunak
Stress over cost of living crisis harming workers’ performance, survey finds
Royal Mail workers begin wave of pre-Christmas strikes
Jacob’s Cream Crackers maker crumbles in face of ‘permanent’ strike
Get in touch
If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email [email protected]
Supporters power the Guardian’s fearless, independent journalism. Unbeholden to shareholders, we’re free to chase the truth without any commercial or political interference. And we keep our rigorous reporting open for everyone to read.

Fund our vital work today from just £1, or if you can, please consider giving a little more on a regular basis.
You are receiving this email because you are a subscriber to Business Today. Guardian News & Media Limited - a member of Guardian Media Group PLC. Registered Office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU. Registered in England No. 908396