Watch: Sunak faces Starmer at PMQs as UK economy shrinks
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Watch as Rishi Sunak faces Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, 13 September.
Wednesday's questions came as data showed that the UK economy shrank surprisingly sharply in July.
Analysts predicted a 0.2 per cent decline in gross domestic product (GDP), but it contracted by 0.5 per cent as retailers and construction projects were knocked by wet weather.
The figures are the heaviest decline since December 2022.
All three key areas of the economy - services, construction and production - declined in July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The human health and social work activities sector recorded a 2.1per cent contraction for the month as a result of industrial action from NHS senior doctors and radiographers, as well an increase in strike days from junior doctors, the ONS said.
The education sector, which was impacted by two days of strikes, recorded a 1.1 per cent fall for the month.
“Our initial estimate for July shows that GDP fell; however, the broader picture looks more positive, with the economy growing across the services, production and construction sectors in the last three months," ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments