UK economy shrinks again in October, official figures show

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.

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.”

More to follow...

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.

Have you heard The Trapped? Listen as Daniel Hewitt exposes the UK's dirty secret