Official figures show that Britain's economy grew less quickly than previously thought in the third quarter of this year, while growth in the second quarter was also revised down.
The Office for National Statistics said UK GDP grew by 0.7% in the third quarter, down from the 0.8% previously estimated. The annual rate of growth was revised down to 2.7% from 2.8%.
The ONS blamed the revision on weaker than estimated performances for production industries, construction and business services and finance.
Growth in the second quarter was also revised down to 1.1% from the 1.2% previously reported following data which showed the construction sector grew less quickly than initially thought.
The figures suggest Britain's recovery is less robust than some hoped and will reinforce fears of a sharp slowdown early next year when public spending cuts increasingly start to bite.
Balance of payments data released at the same time showed Britain's deficit with the rest of the world widened to £9.57 billion in the third quarter from £5.22 billion in the second. The deficit was bigger than economists had expected.
