recession on record — the fall in output caused by the covid—19 pandemic is on course to be one of the worst among major economies. the british economy suffered its biggest slump on record as the covid—19lockdown pushed the country into recession. official figures show the economy shrank by more than 20% between april and june. household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close, while factory and construction output also fell. it means the uk is now officially in recession for the first time since 2009. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. blenheim palace, in oxfordshire, one of the must—see sites in chinese tourist guidebooks. we now know the biggest recession on record was already under way in february when covid was still seen as just a chinese problem.