The UK economy unexpectedly grew in November, helped by a boost from the World Cup, official figures show.

The UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) – a key economic measure of services, construction and manufacturing output – rose by 0.1 per cent.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said pubs and restaurants contributed to growth as people went out to watch World Cup games. However, in the three months to November, the economy shrank by 0.3 per cent.

The UK economy had been widely expected to contract in November. But the services sector, which includes a wide-range of industries from hospitality to shopping, was the biggest driver of growth that month.

The ONS said: “There was anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Fifa World Cup had benefited some businesses with pubs, restaurants and units involved in the sale of wine, pizza delivery, advertising and the provision of security for licensed premises reporting an increase in turnover.”

• A BBC report