ONS figures illuminate longest recession since records began.

Printers are currently trading in the longest recession since records began more than 50 years ago as industry commentators warn that there could be more pain to come.

Surprise figures released by the Office of National Statistics last week revealed that the UK economy had contracted for the sixth consecutive quarter, meaning it is one quarter longer than the recessions of the early 1980s and 1990-1991 and the longest since quarterly statistics were first recorded in 1955.

Following the 0.4% decline, the economy has contracted by a total of 5.9%, just shy of the 6% dip experienced in the early 80s, the deepest recession since the Great Depression.

According …