Office for National Statistics: Economy contracted 0.4% in April

Data from the ONS, published in a BBC News report, shows that the economy contracted 0.4% from the month before in April, with this meaning growth for the three months to April slowed to 0.3% compared to 0.5% from January to March. April’s decline was led by an easing of stockpiling by manufacturers and a fall in car production, with ONS statistician Rob Kent-Smith saying that “uncertainty ahead of the UK's original EU departure date” led to planned shutdowns. He added that there was also “widespread weakness” across manufacturing, as the boost from the early completion of orders ahead of the original Brexit date faded.