UK economy risks heading into reverse unless Rishi Sunak offers more help

Analysis: growth was weakening before Omicron emerged to put more pressure on businesses and homes

• UK growth virtually stalled in October, even before Omicron
• Business live updates: UK economy barely grew in October

Restaurants suffered a sharp drop in activity, manufacturers reported zero growth, and output in the construction industry collapsed in October at the fastest rate since the first wave of Covid-19 last year.

Even before the emergence of the coronavirus Omicron variant, Britain's economy was displaying worrying signs of weakness that are hard to ignore. According to the latest official figures for October, gross domestic product barely rose on the month, with an unexpectedly sluggish 0.1% growth rate.