UK economy almost at a standstill before new Covid restrictions hit, ONS says

GDP grew just 0.4% in October with economy expected to contract again due to November lockdowns

Britain's economic recovery from the first wave of Covid-19 had almost come to a standstill as fresh restrictions affecting the hospitality sector were imposed in the autumn, according to the latest official data.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that national output - or gross domestic product - rose by 0.4% in October.