
This was mostly due to a growth in the food and service activities sector due to more spending in bars, restaurants and hotels.
Overall, the services sector contributed to the real gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 0.1%, according to estimates by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This followed a 0.1% drop the previous month, prompting fears of the UK falling into a recession, which occurs when GDP slides for two consecutive quarters.
However, in the three months to November, there was no sign of growth compared to the previous three months to August.
Services output matched the overall GDP and grew by 0.1% in November, but also showed no signs of growth between September and November. However, the output of food and service activities grew by 2% in the month, after a dip of 1.2% in October last year.

How life insurance can benefit your health and wellbeing over the decades
Sponsored by Post Office
Other signs of growth according to ONS estimates for November came from wholesale and retail trade (0.5%) and information and communication (0.9%). This was due to an increase in the repair of vehicles and a rise in computer programming, consultancy and telecommunications activity respectively.
Meanwhile, production output fell by 0.4% in November and dropped by 0.7% in the three months leading to it, which was attributed to a decline in manufacturing, the ONS noted.
Liz McKeown, the ONS’ director of economic statistics, said: “The economy continues to be broadly flat, having grown slightly in November following two small falls in the previous months.”
‘Number one mission is to grow our economy’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “I am determined to go further and faster to kick-start economic growth, which is the number one priority in our Plan for Change.
“That means generating investment, driving reform and a relentless commitment to root out waste in public spending, and today I will be pressing regulators on what more they can do to deliver growth.”
Reeves added: “After 14 years of economic stagnation, this Government’s number one mission is to grow our economy. I will fight every day to deliver that growth and put more money into working people’s pockets.”
Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest, said the latest figures on the UK economy “will offer relief” to the Chancellor, especially following the unexpected drop of inflation to 2.5% announced yesterday (15 January).
Haine said: “Whether the improving growth picture will continue remains unclear, as the road ahead is littered with potholes. December’s unexpected inflation dip has seen traders ramp up bets on the Bank of England pushing ahead with another rate cut next month – a move that would be welcomed by borrowers hoping for some respite from high mortgage and debt repayments.
“Inflation remains under pressure, though – not only from higher energy prices but the tax hikes imposed on businesses in Reeves’ Budget, which are set to take effect from April.
“Employers must not only absorb an increase in employee National Insurance rates but also a rise in the minimum wage, with major businesses already warning of plans to pass some of that cost to consumers by hiking prices.”
Haine added: “Those hoping for a bumper end of tax year pay rise or bonus may be disappointed as companies hold back in a bid to keep costs down. It means pay growth may suffer in the coming months at a time when household budgets are still reeling from a protracted period of higher living and borrowing costs following the pandemic.
“Add in the hit from the long freeze to personal tax thresholds and more people will find themselves paying higher rates of tax as their income increases.”