LONDON – Britain’s economy rebounded slightly in February after slumping in January when much of the nation re-entered lockdown, official data showed today.
Gross domestic product expanded by 0.4% in February after sinking by an upwardly-revised 2.2% the previous month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.
The January drop marked an improvement from the previous figure for a 2.9% contraction.
The economy was however 7.8% smaller than its pre-pandemic level in February 2020, it added.
“The economy showed some improvement in February after the large falls seen at the start of the year but remains around 8.0% below its pre-pandemic level,” said an ONS spokesman.
“Wholesalers and retailers both saw sales pick up a little, while manufacturing improved with car producers experiencing a partial recovery from a poor January.
“Construction grew strongly after revised figures showed they had struggled in the last couple of months,” the spokesman said. – AFP, April 13, 2021
