Output increased in all four main industrial groupings within the economy in Q3 2013 compared with the previous quarter.

Output increased by 1.4% in agriculture, 0.5% in production, 2.5% in construction, and 0.7% in services. Output from services is now slightly above its previous peak in Q1 2008, prior to the economic downturn.

In Q3 2013 GDP was estimated to be 2.5% below the peak in Q1 2008. From peak to trough in 2009, the economy shrank by 7.2%, the ONS said.

The 0.8% growth figure was in line with economists’ expectations. Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight said the data was “very encouraging”, showing positive contributions from all output sectors.

“While the dominant services sector remains very much key to the economy’s performance, it is important that manufacturing and construction achieve healthy expansion as well if sustainable robust growth is to occur,” he said.

“It needs to be remembered that the improved growth is coming from a low base as GDP in the third quarter was still 2.5 % below the peak level seen in the first quarter of 2011.”