The Bank of England is pictured in London, on Aug....

The Bank of England is pictured in London, on Aug. 1, 2024. Credit: AP/Alberto Pezzali

LONDON — The British economy flatlined in the third quarter of the year, according to downwardly revised official figures Monday, in another blow to the new Labour government that has made growth its number one mission.

In its latest revision of the July to September period, the Office for National Statistics said the British economy showed no growth against the previous estimate of 0.1%.

The agency partly blamed the reduction on fresh survey data showing weaker trading across bars and restaurants.

The reduction has prompted critics to say that Labour talked down the economy on taking power on July 5 for the first time in 14 years when it described its economic inheritance from the previous Conservative administration as being the worst in generations.

Treasury chief Rachel Reeves promised to turbocharge economic growth after Labour won the July election but has now seen the economy stall over the three months to September, while official figures earlier this month also pointed towards a 0.1% decline in October.

“The challenge we face to fix our economy and properly fund our public finances after 15 years of neglect is huge," she said.

In her first budget in late October, Reeves raised taxes on businesses to help shore up public finances and ailing services. Many economists say the budget has further damaged the British economy as many businesses are responding to the tax rise by either raising prices or reducing employees or wages.

Christmas shoppers in central London, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, Britain's...

Christmas shoppers in central London, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, Britain's economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1 percent in October, The Office for National Statistics stated in figures released Friday. Credit: AP/Alberto Pezzali

Mel Stride, the economy spokesman for the Conservatives, said "warning lights are flashing” on the economy.

“Having inherited the fastest-growing economy in the G-7, growth has tanked on Labour’s watch,” Stride said.

Suffolk Police Officer David Mascarella is back on the job after causing a 2020 crash that severely injured Riordan Cavooris, then 2. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger and Newsday investigative reporter Paul LaRocco have the story. Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez; Jeffrey Basinger, Ed Quinn, Barry Sloan; File Footage; Photo Credit: Joseph C. Sperber; Patrick McMullan via Getty Image; SCPD; Stony Brook University Hospital

'It's disappointing and it's unfortunate' Suffolk Police Officer David Mascarella is back on the job after causing a 2020 crash that severely injured Riordan Cavooris, then 2. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger and Newsday investigative reporter Paul LaRocco have the story.

Suffolk Police Officer David Mascarella is back on the job after causing a 2020 crash that severely injured Riordan Cavooris, then 2. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger and Newsday investigative reporter Paul LaRocco have the story. Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez; Jeffrey Basinger, Ed Quinn, Barry Sloan; File Footage; Photo Credit: Joseph C. Sperber; Patrick McMullan via Getty Image; SCPD; Stony Brook University Hospital

'It's disappointing and it's unfortunate' Suffolk Police Officer David Mascarella is back on the job after causing a 2020 crash that severely injured Riordan Cavooris, then 2. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger and Newsday investigative reporter Paul LaRocco have the story.

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