0.1% growth in Q4 2009 was weaker than expected

The UK economy is no longer in recession, after figures from the Office of National Statistics showed the economy had grown by a 0.1% in the last quarter of 2009.

However hopes of a quick recovery were shortlived, as the figure was weaker than expected.

The economy had previously contracted for six consecutive quarters - the longest period since quarterly figures were first recorded in 1955.

The UK was the last major economy still in recession. Germany and France - came out of recession last summer. Japan and the US also exited recession last year.

Recent signs of recovery in the UK included falling unemployment figures which last week which fell for the first time in 18 months.

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