The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the economy grew by 1.1 percent, rather than 1.3 percent, between July and September. This marks a sharp pullback on growth in the second quarter, when UK output increased by 5.4 percent after the easing of Covid restrictions.

       Latest data pre-dates the rise of the Omicron variant, which is predicted to hit growth.

       Martin Beck, chief economic adviser to forecasters EY Item Club, has warned: "The outlook for the early part of 2022 remains uncertain."

       The ONS blamed weaker consumer spending and the impact of energy companies going out of business, a sector hit by rocketing wholesale gas prices.

       The economy is now 1.5 percent smaller than before the pandemic.

       But the ONS said it has recovered some ground thanks to a stronger rebound than first thought in 2020.

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