The Office of National Statistics has released the UK Gross Domestic Product figures for November, showing a decline of 2.6%, following a 0.6% gain in October, reversing 5 months gradual uphill progress. Overall the economic damage caused by the virus has resulted in a GDP drop of 8.5%, with the services sector showing a decline of 10% over pre pandemic figures.

However, forecasters were looking for a significantly larger decline in GDP than that reported by the ONS. With the lockdown extending through December, when restaurants and pubs make up a significant percentage of their quarter's turnover, totally lost to them, economists might have been just a month ahead of their time with the cup less than half empty call.