UK economy shrank in August

LONDON  – Britain’s economy shrank by 0.3 percent in August from July, hit by weakness in manufacturing and by maintenance work which slowed the oil and gas sector, official data showed on Wednesday.

A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to zero growth in August.

“The economy shrank in August with both production and services falling back, and with a small downward revision to July’s growth the economy contracted in the last three months as a whole,” ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said.

Fitzner highlighted a “notable decrease” in the manufacturing sector and a greater level than usual of maintenance in the North Sea oil and gas sector which slowed output.

“Many other consumer-facing services struggled with retail, hairdressers and hotels all faring relatively poorly,” Fitzner said.