British Economy Shrinks, a Sign of Economic Uncertainty

LONDON — The British economy shrank in the second quarter, its first contraction in more than six years, as uncertainty over Brexit and slowing global growth took a toll.

The economy fell by 0.2 percent in the three-month period ending in June, said the Office of National Statistics. The number disappointed many analysts who had predicted growth to be unchanged compared with the first quarter.

Some slowing of growth had been expected, because businesses built up inventories in the first quarter of the year, helping the gross domestic product to grow by 0.5 percent, in anticipation that Britain would leave the European Union in March. In the second quarter, businesses made fewer purchases as those inventories were slowly used up.

Industrial leaders have pointed to the possibility of widespread economic disruption if Britain leaves the European Union without a plan — a no-deal Brexit. The calls have gotten louder as Oct. 31, the new Brexit deadline, approaches.

Last week the Bank of England said the chance of a no-deal Brexit was hampering its ability to forecast where the British economy will be in the coming months. The bank said it was edging toward a more negative outlook because of the potential disruption caused by Brexit and because of slower global economic growth.

The British pound has been sliding in value versus the American dollar for several months, lately falling to about $1.21, a low last seen in early 2017.