The UK economy unexpectedly declined in October, as a weak month for pubs and restaurants dragged on growth amid some uncertainty ahead of the autumn Budget.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 0.1% in October.
Most economists had been expecting GDP to rise by 0.1% during the month.
GDP fell 0.1% in October 2024. Services showed no growth, while Production (-0.6%) and construction (-0.4%) both fell.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) December 13, 2024
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The latest figures from the ONS come after it recorded 0.1% growth between July and September, a slowdown on the 0.4% increase between April and June.
Liz McKeown, the ONS’s director of economic statistics, said: “The economy contracted slightly in October, with services showing no growth overall and production and construction both falling.
“Oil and gas extraction, pubs and restaurants and retail all had weak months, partially offset by growth in telecoms, logistics, and legal firms.
“However, the economy still grew a little over the last three months as a whole.”
