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Premier League football cessation in December during the World Cup in Qatar caused the economy to contract at the end of 2022
Own goal: Official figures from the ONS show that gross domestic product fell by 0.5 percent in December during the World Cup
The shutdown of the Premier League in December during the World Cup in Qatar caused the economy to contract at the end of 2022.
Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that gross domestic product fell by 0.5 percent in December, compared to growth of 0.1 percent in the previous month.
An analysis of the statistics shows that one of the biggest contributors to the decline came from sports and leisure activities, which fell by 17 per cent in the month following the stoppage of Premier League matches. That meant fans were no longer after tickets, team merchandise and match day cakes and beers.
The data also includes feedback from retailers that consumers “cut spending” during the holiday season due to increased prices and affordability concerns.
But the biggest drag on growth was a 2.8 percent decline in health and social work activities, which the ONS attributed to fewer patients booking GP appointments and surgeries due to strike action.
Other problems included a primary school attendance in the run-up to Christmas as students were unable to take a train to school.
However, the economy managed to avoid recession after zero GDP growth in the last three months of last year. That was enough to avoid a recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction.