UK economy shrinks by 0.1% in second quarter as recession looms

Crowds throng the Mall to watch the platinum jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace, London, in June. Photograph: Niklas Halle’n/AP

Britain’s recovery from the pandemic stalled in the three months to June when the economy contracted by 0.1%, according to official figures that revealed the weakening outlook for the UK, which is expected to enter a recession later this year.

Exports fell and consumer spending contracted to push the UK closer to a long period of contraction that the Bank of England expects will stretch to the end of 2023.