The UK economy shrank surprisingly sharply in July as the health sector was impacted by further industrial action and retailers were knocked by wet weather.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.5 percent in July.
Economists had forecast a 0.2 percent decline for the month.
It came after a 0.5 percent monthly increase in June.
ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said: “Our initial estimate for July shows that GDP fell; however, the broader picture looks more positive, with the economy growing across the services, production and construction sectors in the last three months.
“In July, industrial action by healthcare workers and teachers negatively impacted services, and it was a weaker month for construction and retail due to the poor weather.
“Manufacturing also fell back following its rebound from the effect of May’s extra bank holiday.”
You may also like: Next general election to be beset by ‘serious disruption’ as voter ID is introduced nationally
