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June 30 (Reuters) - UK's blue-chip FTSE 100 inched higher on

Tuesday, led by gains in industrial mining and financial shares,

and was set to end the sixth consecutive quarter higher as

optimism surrounding a ceasefire in the Middle East lifted

sentiment.

The internationally focussed FTSE 100 index rose

0.5% by 0904 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 was up 0.1%.

The blue-chip index gained in 11 of the last 12 months, with

March being the only exception, as global markets roiled after

the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran.

* The domestically focussed FTSE 250 was on track for a

quarterly rise but a monthly loss as politics took centre stage

after Keir Starmer resigned from his position as Prime Minister.

* Banks added 1.2% and were up over 20% for

the quarter. Lloyds and Natwest ( NWG ) gained 1.8% and

2.4%, respectively.

* Industrial metal miners rose 2.1%, tracking

metal prices, with Rio Tinto, Anglo American and

Glencore ( GLCNF ) up between 1.7% and 2.8%.

* Economic data showed that Britain's economy grew 0.6% in

the first quarter, but households felt a squeeze before the

price pressures of the Middle East conflict.

* A Lloyds survey showed that UK businesses' confidence

about the economic outlook fell this month as cost pressures and

global uncertainty continued to hurt.

* UK's biggest housebuilders are facing a potential

multi-billion-pound class action lawsuit over alleged

anti-competitive conduct, according to a consumer claim. The

home construction index lagged on the FTSE 100

with a 2.8% decline, while Persimmon, Barratt Redrow ( BTDPF )

and Taylor Wimpey fell between 2.4% and 3.3%.

* Among individual movers, supermarket group Sainsbury's ( JSNSF )

rose 2.1% after first-quarter results but said it

expects the Middle East conflict to add to food inflation.

* British holiday and insurance group Saga shares

fell 3% and were the top loser on the midcap index after

first-half results.

* BRC data showed annual shop price inflation remained

unchanged in June, with food inflation losing steam and

consumers taking advantage of summer deals.

(Reporting by Twesha Dikshit; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)