UK economy shrinks as GDP plummets by 20% in April

The Office of National Statistics announced the drop on Friday

The UK economy shrinks as gross domestic product (GDP) plunged by 20.4% in April - the first full month of lockdown - the Office for National Statistics announced on Friday.

Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds has warned the UK economy is shrinking at a faster rate than those of other developed countries.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Dodds said: "What particularly concerns me is that actually we're not just looking at one month of economic damage.

"There was a report that came out a couple of days ago from the OECD and it suggested that the drop in GDP for this year for the UK would actually be worse than for every other industrialised nation.

"So we're in a very, very difficult situation as a country and we will need strong action to help us climb out of this as quickly as possible."

ONS deputy national statistician Mr Athow said: "It is highly likely that April will be the low point of economic output.

"It is really too early to know how quickly economic activity will recover in the coming months."

UK economy shrinks as GDP plummets by 20% in April

Additional reporting by Press Association

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