The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.4% between July and September, according to official figures, meaning the country is still in recession.

官方数据显示，第二季度英国经济意外地收缩了0.4%，这意味着其经济仍处于不景气状态。

Retail¹ sales were flat in September, which did not help overall growth" width="226" border="0" src="/upimg/091026/4_052227_1.jpg" />
Retail sales were flat in September, which did not help overall growth

It is the first time UK gross domestic product (GDP) has contracted for six consecutive²（连续的，连贯的） quarters, since quarterly figures were first recorded in 1955.

But the figures could still be revised up or down at a later date, because this figure is only the first estimate.

GDP measures the total amount of goods and services produced by a country.

The pound fell sharply after the figures were released, reflecting the fact that many observers had expected the UK to have grown during the quarter.

It was down 1.7% against the dollar, at $1.6323, and down 1.9% against the euro, at 1.0859 euros.

Quarterly growth of 0.2% had been expected in the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), although expectations had been tempered by recent figures showing no growth in retail sales in September, and a 2.5% decline in industrial output in August.

The unexpected decline in the services sector³ was the key factor behind the drop, with the distribution, catering⁴（餐饮） and hotels sector performing particularly badly.

The UK economy's reliance on the service sector, and financial services in particular, may be the reason why it is still in recession when partners such as France and Germany exited in the second quarter of this year.

The economy contracted 5.2% compared with the same period last year, which was marginally better than the record figure of 5.5% in the previous three months.

It has now contracted 5.9% from its peak before the recession began.

The worse-than-expected GDP figures are likely to make the Bank of England consider extending its policy of quantitative⁵ easing（量化宽松）.

Quantitative easing is the central bank's policy of printing money and using it to buy bonds from banks and other companies to help stimulate⁶ the economy.