The UK's GDP plummeted by 20.4% in the first full month of lockdown, the biggest monthly fall on record. It means the economy shrank by more than a fifth as workers were sent home from offices, shops and factories as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
The Office for National Statistics' (ONS) April figures have been released as the country prepares for its worst recession in 300 years.
The 'unprecedented' fall in GDP is ten times worse than any previous drop, according to the ONS. Labour has called for 'strong action' to help the UK economy bounce back.
Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician at the organisation, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "20% is really unprecedented. "Actually, if you take March and April together the fall