UK firms predict late growth surge in Q4

British companies expect a surge in output in the final quarter of the year despite a slowdown in the three months to September, a survey has showed, the latest sign that the UK’s economy is largely coping with the shock vote to leave the EU.

The Confederation of British Industry said yesterday its growth indicator, based on a poll of companies, fell to +3 in the third quarter of 2016, down from +8 in the three months to August and the lowest since March.

The measure showed manufacturing output grew as the fall in the value of sterling after the Brexit vote helped exporters.