The economic impact of the pandemic has significantly contracted the economies of all nations and regions of the UK, with the West Midlands hardest hit.
New data from the Office from National Statistics shows that from April to June (Q2) 2020 all four countries of the UK experienced quarter-on-quarter negative growth with Scotland down 19.4% , England 19% , Wales 15.1% and Northern Ireland experiencing a contraction of 13.6% .
The West Midlands has the biggest decline of any nation or region of the UK at 21% , followed by the East of England, 20.9% , the South East, 20.6% and the North West 20.3% .
The smallest decline in England was in London at 16.3% , followed by the North East with 17.5% .
Only three regions or countries in the UK had growth in Q2 above the UK level when compared with the same quarter in 2019.
These were Wales a minus 18.3%, Northern Ireland at minus 17.7% and London down 16.3%
All other regions fell below the UK level of minus 20.7% ; the largest fall being the West Midlands at 24.7%.
