Economic growth in the U.K. slowed down to a near standstill in the third quarter of the year, official figures showed Thursday, in what is a blow to the British government less than two weeks ahead of a crucial budget that is expected to see taxes rise again.

The Office for National Statistics said that the economy grew by 0.1% between July and September from the previous three-month period. That was down on the previous quarter's 0.3% increase and below market expectations for a 0.2% rise.