UK business investment falls at fastest rate since financial crisis

Drop of 1.4% in last quarter driven by energy companies reining in North Sea spending amid falling oil price

Investment spending by UK businesses fell at the fastest rate in almost six years at the end of 2014 as energy companies responded to falling global oil prices.

Business investment dropped by 1.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics. The decrease was mainly driven by oil and gas companies reining in North Sea spending.

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