UK economy contracts by 0.1% in March

Published by

Stephen Emerson

The UK economy has contracted by 0.1%

The UK economy contracted last month prompting fears of a further slowdown in the economy.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released this morning showed GDP fell by 0.1% in March despite growing overall over the quarter by 0.8%.

Rising food and fuel prices have put a squeeze on household incomes while economic uncertainty over the war in Ukraine has dented business confidence.

The Bank of England has forecasted that inflation could hit 10% by the end of the year which will put a further squeeze on disposable incomes.

The economic slowdown has led to concerns that the UK could be heading for a recession which is characterised by two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

Kitty Ussher, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said: “It is perhaps unsurprising that slower retail activity caused the economy to contract very slightly in March given the huge shock to economic confidence stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and household fears about forthcoming energy and national insurance rises at the same time as a surge in Covid-19 cases that kept many people at home.

"In addition, the economy was also affected by the wind-down of the NHS Test and Trace service and slowing vaccination activity.

“Business leaders, particularly in the consumer-facing sector, will be keeping very close to their customers in the months ahead to understand the extent to which cost of living concerns are affecting spending patterns in the longer term.”

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.