The UK economy grew by 0.6% during the second quarter of 2013, the Office of National Statistics said today.
It was the first time since 2011 that the UK has seen back-to-back quarterly increases, after a 0.3% rise at the beginning of this year.
The Office for National Statistics figures showed all the main sectors of the economy grew for the first time since the third quarter of 2010, adding to hopes for a recovery.
David Cameron said the figures were "encouraging" and showed the UK was on the "right track".
He wrote on Twitter: "Today's economic growth figures are encouraging. We are on the right track - building an economy for hardworking people."
Chancellor George Osborne tweeted: "GDP stats better than forecast. Britain's holding its nerve, we're sticking to our plan, the economy's on the mend. But still a long way to go."
Danny Alexander, the Lib Dem chief secretary, welcomed the figures but indicated he did not want to see too much cheering from government MPs.
"Good, balanced growth figures show we are on the right track - but not time to get carried away, there's a lot more to do," he said.
Labour's shadow chancellor Ed Balls welcomed the news but said the growth was not being felt in voter's pockets.
"After 3 damaging years of flatlining, this growth is both welcome and long overdue. But still no recovery in family living standards," he said.