The UK economy fell by 0.3% in April with every sector seeing a decline compared to 12 months ago.
There were declines in the manufacturing,construction and service sectors and the country has now not seen any growth since January
The Government has blamed the withdrawal of the free COVID testing scheme for part of the decline.
There is fear of recession following the publication of the figures this morning with the rise in fuel prices combined with the Government’s tightening of fiscal controls to address inflation.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves described the figures as really worrying saying that “Instead of addressing structural weaknesses, all the Tories have are sticking plasters.”
