UK economy in double dip recession

The UK economy has returned to recession, after shrinking by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012.

A sharp fall in construction output was behind the surprise contraction, the Office for National Statistics said.

A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. The economy shrank by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Wednesday's figure is an early estimate and is subject to at least two further revisions in the coming months.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17836624

UK in recession says Item Club economic forecasters

The UK may have already slipped back into recession, economic forecaster the Item Club has warned.


The think tank said gross domestic product shrank in the final quarter of last year and would contract again in the current three-month period.

It said that even if the eurozone could resolve its problems the UK economy would grow by just 0.2% this year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16571049

Warnings of double-dip recession for the UK

A leading economist has warned the Government's proposed spending cuts risk plunging the UK back into recession.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Leading-Economist-David-Blanchflower-Warns-Of-Double-Dip-Recession-Ahead-Of-Cuts/Article/201006215648535?lpos=Politics_First_Buisness_Article_Teaser_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15648535_Leading_Economist_David_Blanchflower_Warns_Of_Double_Dip_Recession_Ahead_Of_Cuts

Finland in double-dip recession

Finland's economy slipped back into recession during the first three months of 2010, official figures have shown.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10272574.stm