UK exits recession with tentative 0.1% growth

The UK economy has exited its longest recession since records began, with GDP growth of 0.1% in the final quarter of 2009.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the UK saw economic growth following six straight quarters of contraction.

UK GDP is now 6% lower than it was at its peak in early 2008. However, the figures will be revised by the ONS in the coming months as more data becomes available and could be reduced to 0% or less.

Britain is the last G20 country to leave recession, with many European economies seeing economic growth in mid-2009. Output for business services and finance industries is thought to have been flat during the final three months of 2009.