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UK officially in recession for first time in 11 years UK officially in recession for first time in 11 years
(32 minutes later)
The UK economy suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June as coronavirus lockdown measures pushed the country officially into recession.The UK economy suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June as coronavirus lockdown measures pushed the country officially into recession.
The economy shrank 20.4% compared with the first three months of the year.The economy shrank 20.4% compared with the first three months of the year.
Household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close, while factory and construction output also fell.Household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close, while factory and construction output also fell.
This pushed the UK into its first technical recession - defined as two straight quarters of economic decline - since 2009.This pushed the UK into its first technical recession - defined as two straight quarters of economic decline - since 2009.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the economy bounced back in June as government restrictions on movement started to ease.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the economy bounced back in June as government restrictions on movement started to ease.
It said the hospitality sector was the hardest hit. Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics, said: "Despite this, gross domestic product (GDP) in June still remains a sixth below its level in February, before the virus struck."
Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics, said: "The economy began to bounce back in June with shops reopening, factories beginning to ramp up production and housebuilding continuing to recover. The ONS said the collapse in output was driven by the closure of shops, hotels, restaurants, schools and car repair shops.
"Despite this, gross domestic product (GDP) in June still remains a sixth below its level in February, before the virus struck." The services sector, which powers four-fifths of the economy, suffered the biggest quarterly decline on record.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. The hospitality sector was also hard hit, while factory shutdowns resulted in the slowest car production since 1954.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. Rishi Sunak, the UK's chancellor, said the economic slump would lead to more job losses in the coming months.
He said: "Hundreds of thousands of people have already lost their jobs, and sadly in the coming months many more will.
"But while there are difficult choices to be made ahead, we will get through this, and I can assure people that nobody will be left without hope or opportunity."