The UK Office for National Statistics published its second estimate of GDP for April to June 2026 on 30 September 2026, revising upward its preliminary flash estimate to reflect additional data sources. The revised figure indicates the UK economy is slightly larger than initially reported, with the second estimate incorporating more comprehensive measurement of economic activity across the period.
The household saving ratio rose by 0.2 percentage points to 8.8% in Q2 2026, driven by higher non-pension savings, according to the revised release. This represents a component of the broader GDP revision published alongside the main output figures.
GBPUSD, as the sterling exchange rate benchmark, and UK gilts, as the primary instrument through which UK sovereign borrowing costs are priced, are directly connected to domestic GDP revisions, which feed into assessments of the UK fiscal and monetary position. The FTSE index reflects the aggregate performance of UK-listed companies whose domestic revenues and cost bases are sensitive to the scale of measured economic output.
The ONS described the release as a second estimate superseding the preliminary flash estimate, with revised short-term indicators for business investment — including gross fixed capital formation across sectors and asset classes — also published on the same date.
Sources: ONS, Guardian Business