The UK economy grew by a record 15.5% in between July and September as the country emerged from lockdown.

But that still wasn’t enough to make up everything that has been lost, with GDP some 9.6% lower than a year earlier, the Office for National Statistics has said.

The services, production and construction sectors all increased by record amounts over the period, but failed to overtake where they were before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: “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.

“The return of children to school boosted activity in the education sector.

“Housebuilding also continued to recover while business strengthened for lawyers and accountants after a poor August.

“However, pubs and restaurants saw less business after the ‘eat out to help out’ scheme ended, and accommodation saw less business after a successful summer.”