GDP is now 4.9% lower than the first quarter of 2008, the largest fall on record.
Other figures from the ONS’s latest statistics show output of the production industries fell 5.1%, while service industries fell by 1.6%, with negative growth in all sub-industries except government and other services that grew by 0.2%.
Household expenditure fell by 1.3%, with falls in consumption of household goods and services, restaurants and hotels, spending abroad and motor vehicles.
Government final consumption expenditure rose by 0.2% and is now 2.8% higher than the first quarter of 2008.
Gross fixed capital formation fell 7.5% and is now 13.2% below the first quarter of 2008.
The trade deficit in real terms decreased to £8bn in the first quarter of 2009 from £8.4bn in the previous quarter. Exports of goods and services fell 6.9% while imports fell 6.7%.
The GDP expenditure deflator rose by 1% compared with the first quarter of 2008.
Compensation of employees, in current prices, fell 1.4% in the quarter and is now 1.7% below the level seen in the first quarter of 2008.
Total gross operating surplus of corporations fell 4.3% and is now 0.1% lower than the first quarter of 2008.
