Gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.6% in September 2021, data from the Office for National Statistics shows.

The figures confirm the economy is continuing on its road to recovery after growth stalled in August at 0.1%, revised down from 0.3%, although GDP remains 0.6% below its pre-pandemic level.

The UK's trade balance fell to a deficit of -1.2% of GDP over the same period, while taxes rose by 1.8%.

Output of services contributed substantially to the growth of the economy, growing by 0.7% in September and is 0.3% below its pre-pandemic level, following a rise of just 0.1% in August 2021.

There was a particularly strong growth in human health activities, which grew by 6.4%, mainly spurred by a large rise in face-to-face GP surgery appointments.

Professional, scientific and technical activities were the second largest contributor to services growth, growing 2.1% in September 2021.

However, amid plummeting consumer confidence, petrol panic buying, and staff and supply shortages, retail and wholesale trade fell by 13%.

Kitty Ussher, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said:

"Today's data is a little stronger than was expected, but with corresponding downward revisions to monthly GDP for July and August this is unlikely to affect the growth forecasts for the end of the year."

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