The Office for National Statistics said on Monday that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has described the “challenge” of fixing the economy as “huge”, after revised official figures showed that the UK economy flatlined in the third quarter of the year.

The Office for National Statistics said on Monday that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September.

The Conservatives have claimed that “growth has tanked” on the Government’s “watch”,  and said that the economy is becoming “more vulnerable”.

Statisticians, who had previously estimated 0.1% growth for the quarter, partly blamed the reduction on fresh survey data showing weaker trading across bars and restaurants.

The ONS also revised down its growth reading for the second quarter of 2024, to 0.4%. In September, it said it thought GDP had increased by 0.5%, which was itself a reduction on previous estimates.

The numbers will be a blow to ministers who have pledged to grow the economy, and come as businesses issued a warning that the UK is “headed for the worst of all worlds”.

Reacting to the figures on Monday morning, Ms Reeves said in a statement: “The challenge we face to fix our economy and properly fund our public finances after 15 years of neglect is huge.

“But this is only fuelling our fire to deliver for working people.

“The Budget and our plan for change will deliver........

© Shropshire Star