UK's Osborne-Q3 GDP data show steady recovery underway

LONDON Oct 26 (Reuters) - British finance minister George Osborne said on Tuesday the UK economy was steadily recovering, after official data showed stronger-than-expected growth between July and September.

The Office for National Statistics said the economy grew 0.8 percent in the third quarter, twice as fast as analysts had expected, though slower than the 1.2 percent growth recorded in the second quarter. "Along with the decisive action we are taking on the deficit it should help underpin confidence," Osborne said in a statement.

"The ONS believe that the underlying growth in the third quarter was 'broadly similar' to the strong second quarter. This gives me confidence that although global economic conditions remain choppy, a steady recovery is underway," he added.