'A sobering first quarter' ahead: UK GDP falls 2.9% in January

Follows 1.2% uptick in December

Lauren Mason
clock • 3 min read

The UK economy shrank by 2.9% in January this year after it was hit with a third national lockdown, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The fall, which comes one month after a 1.2% uptick in economic growth in December, was 9% below levels last seen before the first lockdown in February last year, and 4% below the initial recovery peak in October 2020. The services sector dealt the biggest blow to UK GDP having fallen by 3.5% as a direct result of the lockdown. Growth for the sector was down 10.2% compared to February last year and 4.9% below levels seen in October. Meanwhile, the production sector fell for the first time in eight months at 1.5%. This was 5% below its level in February 2020. In contrast, constructi...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Technology cited as main barrier to private market access for advisers

Technology cited as main barrier to private market access for advisers

Follows Oliver Wyman’s and Clearstream’s private markets whitepaper

Sophia Panayi
clock 04 August 2026 • 3 min read
Ascot Lloyd links up with BlackRock for investment offering

Ascot Lloyd links up with BlackRock for investment offering

A move to a single investment provider

Isabel Baxter
clock 04 August 2026 • 2 min read
Beyond London: Adviser opportunities in regional investment

Beyond London: Adviser opportunities in regional investment

Hugi Clarke unpacks the regional growth agenda

Isabel Baxter
clock 31 July 2026 • 1 min read