ONS data showing 0.1% fall in GDP in January comes less than two weeks before chancellor’s spring statement
Analysis: Shrinking economy an unhelpful backdrop for Reeves’s growth pushBusiness live – latest updates
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in January, dealing a blow to Rachel Reeves before the spring statement later this month.
In a surprise to City economists, who had expected 0.1% growth in January, the Office for National Statistics data showed the services sector failed to offset a decline in the industrial sector and maintain growth from the previous month.
More Stories
Pokémon Go maker to sell games to Saudi-owned company for $3.5bn
Tesla tells US government Trump trade war could ‘harm’ EV companies
China criticises Hong Kong firm’s sale of majority stake in Panama ports