UK economy back to pre-pandemic levels in November

GDP expanded by 0.9% before impact of Omicron as Christmas shopping began early

• Analysis: Omicron likely to slow UK bounceback
• Business live updates: UK economy grew by 0.9% in November
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The UK economy surpassed its pre-pandemic level for the first time in November ahead of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and government's warnings about workplace and social gatherings.

Official figures showed GDP grew by 0.9% in the penultimate month of 2021, making the UK economy 0.7% larger than it was before March 2020 and the first lockdown.