John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to latest productivity figures from the ONS, said: 

“Latest productivity figures showing the largest quarterly fall since 2008 are deeply concerning. It comes only weeks after the Office of Budget Responsibility revised down forecasts for growth due to weak productivity expectations throughout this Parliament.

“George Osborne has been Chancellor for six years now and has made almost no progress with what may be the biggest challenge facing Britain’s economy. It’s about time he listened to the coalition of voices calling for more investment in infrastructure, to boost productivity, as well as addressing the skills shortage which is being reported by employers across the economy”