Winter lockdowns across the UK contributed to a 2.9% contraction in the economy in January, according to the Office for National Statistics. Deputy national statistician Jonathan Athow says as well as shops being closed, manufacturing saw its first decline since last April. He called it a “notable hit, albeit smaller than some expected”. The Bank of England had expected the economy to shrink by 5%.
Covid-19: Wales and Scotland ease lockdown as economy takes hit
