The UK economy unexpectedly grew in November, helped by a boost from the World Cup, official figures show.
The UK economy expanded by 0.1%, assisted by demand for services in the tech sector.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said pubs and restaurants also boosted growth as people went out to watch the football. But it is still unclear whether soaring costs will tip the UK into recession.
The latest data makes it less clear whether the UK will have entered a recession at the end of last year. A recession is defined as two three-month periods, or quarters, of shrinking economic output in a row.
Although there may have been a brief improvement in November, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) warned that concerns over the economy are still there.
The national chair of the FSB, Martin McTague, said: “With costs remaining high for small firms and households alike, policymakers cannot rest on their laurels. Inflation needs to be brought down, there remains huge uncertainty over energy prices and consumer confidence remains stubbornly low.”