The UK recession has deepened as GDP fell 0.7% in the second quarter, the Office of National Statistics has revealed.

The contraction was larger than expected and follows a 0.3% dip in the first quarter. It was the sharpest fall since the first quarter of 2009.

The second quarter drop was largely due to a sharp slowdown in the construction sector.

The Jubilee bank holiday, which resulted in one fewer working days, and the wet weather could have had an impact on some sectors, according to the ONS.

It cautioned that the figure is a first estimate and could be revised in the coming months.