GDP 0.5 mm vs Reuters poll 0.0
Economy grew by 0.4 in 3 months to May
Growth driven by health, other sectors
April fall in GDP not as steep as first thought
Finance minister says no room for complacency

LONDON, July 13 Reuters Britain39;s economy grew unexpectedly in May, driven by a rise in doctor appointments but also broader demand for things such as holidays, according to data that could reassure the Bank of England about its plans to keep on raising interest rates.

Economic output expanded by 0.5 in May although consumer services fell as the surge in inflation hit shoppers.

A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to zero growth in May from April.

Health services were a major driver of growth, the Office for National Statistics said, citing a large rise in GP appointments.

Road hauliers also had a busy month, while travel agencies fared well with pentup demand for holidays, the ONS said.

The Bank of England has predicted that GDP will contract in the AprilJune period but some economists said Wednesday39;s data suggested that might now be avoided.

It won39;t require much for quarterly Q2 growth to now be positive as a whole, analysts at RBC Capital Markets said.

Other economists said May39;s upturn was likely to represent a blip with countries all over Europe struggling to contain inflation driven by soaring energy prices.

It is too early to break out the champagne, as the details in the release still point to an economy under pressure as the…