The UK economy slowed in February with no growth recorded after strikes paralyzed public services widely.
Gross domestic product (GDP) did not grow in February at zero, missing expectations for a 0.1% increase and down from January's 0.4% growth.
Even so, the reading showed the economy was unlikely to contract in the first quarter, reducing the risk of a recession but putting the UK in a prolonged slowdown.
This is because, a contraction of 0.6% is needed for GDP to register a decline in the first quarter, as predicted by the Bank of England (BOE).
Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt commented on newly published data that showed the UK economy performing stronger than expected.
The weak February figure reflected the impact of a 0.1% contraction in the services sector, which was affected by strikes by teachers and other public sector workers.
The pound's reaction following the publication of this data showed the currency trading higher which was largely supported by the weaker US dollar trading.
