How twin pressures of Brexit and raw material shortage damaged GDP

Analysis: The UK's revised-down Q3 figures should come as no surprise given business has been in second gear since 2016

• Economy grew more slowly that expected before Omicron

If the newly revised-down figures for Britain's economic performance in the third quarter show anything, it is that consumers played the starring role in the recovery while the industrial sector struggled under the twin pressures of Brexit and global raw material shortages.

This should not come as a surprise. Ever since 2016's narrow vote to quit the EU, businesses, and especially manufacturers, have failed to move out of second gear.