UK revises economic growth figure for second quarter from 0.8 percent to 0.9 percent

The U.K. economy grew faster in the second quarter than previously estimated, with official figures revising up the quarter-on-quarter growth rate by 0.1 percentage points to 0.9 percent.

The Office for National Statistics revision came at the same time as officials put into place data and methodological changes meant to make Britain comply with international norms.

Joe Grice says that despite the changes the country's long-term average growth rate is little changed, though the economic downturn ended about nine months earlier than thought.

He notes that "the recent downturn continues to be the deepest since ONS records began." Chris Williamson, analyst at Markit.com, says the new statistics show the economy is now 2.7 percent larger than it pre-crisis peak.