UK left double-dip recession in third quarter, says Niesr The UK has seen its strongest quarter of growth in more than two years, according to Niesr, growing by 0.8 percent in the three months ending 30 September, considerably stronger than the 0.1 percent of growth seen in the three months to August 31. Doubt was cast on the state of Britain's recovery earlier today when the Office for National Statistics released data showing that UK factory output fell more than expected in August and the country's trade deficit widened sharply. Manufacturing output fell 1.1pc in August after a downwardly revised bounce of 3.1pc in July. Economists had forecast a 0.6pc decline on the month. The International Monetary Fund also cast doubt on the country's economic recovery, as it slashed its forecast for UK growth late last night, in its sharpest downwards revision for any advanced economy. The world's economic watchdog expects the UK economy to shrink by 0.4 percent this year, instead of grow by 0.2 percent as it expected in July. Overall, it expects the global economy to grow 3.3 percent this year, rather than the 3.5 percent previously forecast. However there was hope for next year as the UK was expected to bounce back in 2013 with 1.1percent growth, stronger than most of the eurozone.