The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed figures that indicate the UK economy is recovering back from the coronavirus-induced recession, with record growth of 15.5 per cent in July to September.
This growth follows on from the six-month economic decline, which was caused by the first lockdown. Although, the economy is still 8.2 per cent smaller than the pre-coronavirus period, the ONS says, meaning that this expansion is not enough to modify the pandemic-caused loss.
Additionally, analysts have warned that these figures will shrink again in the last three months of 2020, due to the repeated lockdowns in the UK. 
The second lockdown began on 5 November in England and is due to end on 2 December. 
Faisal Islam, the Economics Editor for BBC News, says that “the great bit of sunlight on the horizon, however, is the vaccine. That will be the biggest economic stimulus imaginable.”
Marking the fifth consecutive month of expansion was September. However, this month has weaker levels of development, compared to previous months, at just 1.1 per cent.
Johnathan Athow, ONS’ Deputy National Statistician for economic statistics, says that “while all main sectors of the economy continued to recover, the rate of growth slowed again, with the economy still remaining well below its pre-pandemic peak.”
Construction, particularly housebuilding, proceeded to recover and the education sector saw a boost in activity, due to children returning to schools.
Accommodation, however, has seen less business after a “successful summer”, plus pubs and restaurants encountered fewer customers and revenue following the end of the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Despite some sectors seeing a boost in their business, another indication of the economic impact of the pandemic is the unemployment rate. Figures released on 10 November 2020 reveal that this rate increased from 4.5 per cent to 4.8 per cent during the three months up until September.
In this period, the number of unemployed people shot up to 243,000, which holds the record number since May 2009.
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