Britain's economy has suffered its biggest annual decline on record.
Hopes of a quick recovery from the UK's worst recession for 30 years were ended on Friday when the government disclosed the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2009.
The latest fall for April to June brings the annual rate of decline to 5.6 per cent, the steepest drop since 1955 and more than double what economists had predicted.
Ross Walker, UK economist at RBS Financial Markets, said: "These are awful, awful numbers.
"It casts doubt on whether we will actually see growth in the third quarter."
Analysts shocked
The contraction also comes amid a record fall in manufacturing output and major losses in financial services.
UK economy suffers worst annual dip
Britain's economy has suffered its biggest annual decline on record.
Hopes of a quick recovery from the UK's worst recession for 30 years were ended on Friday when the government disclosed the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2009.
The latest fall for April to June brings the annual rate of decline to 5.6 per cent, the steepest drop since 1955 and more than double what economists had predicted.
Ross Walker, UK economist at RBS Financial Markets, said: "These are awful, awful numbers.
"It casts doubt on whether we will actually see growth in the third quarter."
Analysts shocked
The contraction also comes amid a record fall in manufacturing output and major losses in financial services.
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