LONDON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Britain's gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.1 percent in February, down from a 0.8 percent growth in January, the country's statistics office said on Monday.
Services, growing by 0.2 percent, was the main contributor to the GDP growth in February, while production and construction fell by 0.6 percent and 0.1 percent respectively, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Accommodation and food service activities increased by 8.6 percent in February, being the main driver of February's growth in services, ONS data showed.
Darren Morgan, ONS director of economic statistics, said, "The economy was little changed in February with the easing of restrictions for overseas travel -- and increased confidence in booking holidays in the UK -- triggering strong growth in travel agencies, tour operators and hotels."
The growth was partially offset by the reduction of COVID-19 related tests, tracing and vaccination activities, which made a strong contribution to the GDP growth at the start of the year, said Morgan.
Manufacturing was the main driver of negative growth in production output, falling by 0.4 percent in February, said the ONS.
Monthly GDP now stands 1.5 percent above its pre-pandemic level in February 2020, said the ONS, noting that services is 2.1 percent above its pre-coronavirus level, while construction is 1.1 percent above and production is 1.9 percent below.
