British economic growth downgraded

Britain's economy grew by less than previously thought last year, but still registered the fastest rate of growth since before the financial crisis, revised official data showed Wednesday. The nation's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.8 percent in 2013, down from the previous growth estimate of 1.9 percent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. The economy meanwhile grew by 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, or October-December period, compared with the previous three months. That was unchanged from the previous figure and followed 0.8-percent expansion in the third quarter, according to AFP.