UK economy figures delayed by concern over errors

Data on the health of the economy is being delayed for more than a week after statisticians uncovered "potential errors" in official figures, it was disclosed today.

The Office for National Statistics was due to give its second revision of British growth for the first quarter of the year tomorrow, but has put back publication until July 12.

It is the first time since 2007 that official figures have been delayed because of possible errors, although the blunder does not affect any previously published figures.

ONS director general Stephen Penneck said: "It is important to ensure the national accounts are right, rather than disseminate statistics that might be subject to question over their quality.

"We are really sorry that we have had to do this and apologise for the inconvenience. We will learn from this to prevent it happening again."

The second revision of GDP is based on more than 90% of the available data. According to the first revision of GDP published in May, Britain's economy expanded by 0.3% in the first quarter, up from the 0.2% shown in April's initial estimate.