The unexpected increase eases pressure on the government, which has been trying to spur investment and development.

The British economy eked out growth at the end of last year, data published on Thursday showed, slightly easing the pressure on the government as it tries to quicken the pace of economic growth.

Gross domestic product increased 0.1 percent in the last three months of 2024, after zero growth in the previous quarter.

Most economists, including at the Bank of England, had expected another quarter of stagnation at the end of the year, but the economy grew faster than expected because of a jump in activity in the service sector in December.

The Labour Party, which came to power last summer, has said economic growth is its No. 1 mission. But so far growth has been mostly elusive, with the economy staying roughly the same size since last spring.