UK economy shrinks again by 2.6% in November as England hit by second lockdown

THE UK economy shrank by 2.6% in November after England was placed in lockdown for a second time, according to official figures.

But the figures from the Office for National Statistics were better than the 5.6% slump that had been expected.

However, UK gross domestic product at the end of November was also down by 8.5% below its pre-pandemic peak.

Experts are warning the UK faces a possible double-dip recession once the true impact of a third national lockdown on the economy is revealed.

A double-dip is recession when the economy enters recession, briefly recovers, and then enters recession again.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “It’s clear things will get harder before they get better and today’s figures highlight the scale of the challenge we face.

“But there are reasons to be hopeful – our vaccine roll-out is well underway and … we’re creating new opportunities for those most in need,” he added.

England entered into a second national lockdown on November 5 to stop a rising cases of coronavirus ahead of Christmas.

The month-long shutdown saw all non-essential retail, including clothes and homeware stores, forced to close.

Pubs and restaurants were limited to offering takeaway and deliveries only.

Schools were allowed to stay open but traders warned of the devastating affect restrictions would have on the busiest trading season of the year.

November’s decline came after sixth consecutive months of growth, with a 0.6% improvement in October.

The services sector fell by 3.4% due to the rules meaning it is now 9.9% below the level of February 2020.

The country plunged into the “worst ever” recession earlier this year, when the economy shrank for two quarters in a row – the technical definition of recession.

The economy bounced back and grew by 15.5% in the three months to September, meaning the UK is no longer in recession.

Before the emergency Tier 4 restrictions were enforced the week before Christmas, the UK economy was expected to grow in the first quarter of 2021.

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