UK economic growth remains tepid despite sizzling temperatures

The UK construction industry and manufacturing contracted in July. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Observer

The weather was hot but the economy was lukewarm. As temperatures in the UK rose above 40 degrees centigrade for the first time, growth in July remained tepid.

To be sure, the economy expanded, but some boost to activity was expected after the hit to growth in June caused by the double bank holiday to celebrate the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.