Worrying signs for UK economic recovery

Britain’s economy relied more heavily on spending by households for growth in the third quarter despite a fall in take-home incomes, underscoring the challenges of getting the recovery onto a sounder footing.

In another disappointing sign for policymakers, business investment was weaker than in an earlier reading of how Britain’s economy fared from July to September.

Official data also showed Britain’s current account deficit matched a record high in the third quarter, hurt in large part by lower returns on foreign investment, sending sterling lower.