UK productivity falls at fastest pace in five years as Brexit dents investment

Boris Johnson claims issue is a priority but Labour says figures are a 'damning indictment'

The productivity of British workers fell at the fastest pace for five years in the second quarter of 2019, amid mounting concerns over the impact of Brexit uncertainty on the economy.

The Office for National Statistics said labour productivity - a measure of economic output per hour of work - slumped by 0.5% in the three months to June compared with the same period a year ago, the worst performance since mid-2014.