Britain鈥檚 economy grew faster than expected in February, as the services and manufacturing sectors picked up after recent slow activity, official figures show.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.5%, surprising economists who had forecast no economic growth.

It also marks a significant monthly improvement after no growth in January, the ONS added.

The figures come as a surprise boost for Labour and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, after the party made growing the economy its key priority since winning the election last year, but momentum has been slow amid falling consumer confidence and rising inflation.

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: 鈥淭he economy grew strongly in February with widespread growth across both services and manufacturing industries.

鈥淲ithin services, computer programming, telecoms and car dealerships all had strong months, while in manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals led the way and car manufacturing also picked up after its recent poor performance.

鈥淎cross the last three months as a whole, the economy also grew strongly with broad-based growth across services industries.鈥

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figures were "an encouraging sign", but added the government was "not complacent".

"I know this is an anxious time for families who are worried about the cost of living and British businesses who are worried about what this change means for them," she said.

鈥淭his Government will remain pragmatic and cool-headed as we seek to secure the best deal with the United States that is in our national interest.

鈥淎t the same time, we will be relentless in our work to kickstart economic growth, provide security for working people and renewal for Britain.鈥

The Conservatives claimed the Government still had a 鈥渓ong way to go鈥 on growing the economy.

Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, said: 鈥淪ince coming to office, Labour鈥檚 choices have killed growth stone dead and there is still a long way to go to recover.

鈥淎t the emergency budget, the forecasts for growth, inflation and borrowing all moved in the wrong direction because of Labour鈥檚 decisions."

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