‘Spectre of recession’ looms with growth ‘to dim in 2026’

A CRITICAL warning over a looming “spectre of recession” was issued to the government after economic growth stalled in the second half of 2025.

- By SAMUEL NORMAN

Experts fear worse could be to come in the new year.

Fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics have downgraded second-quarter growth this year to a sluggish 0.2% from 0.3% previously.

This was followed by a 0.1 per cent expansion in the third quarter, with the ONS stating the figures painted a picture of a slowing economy.