UK retail sales plunge

British retail sales volumes fell by a sharper-than-expected 1.3% in April, marking the most significant monthly decline in nearly a year.

Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that consumers are drastically cutting back on non-essential spending, with fuel and clothing sales suffering the steepest drops.

Economists attribute the slump to the ongoing energy shock and high inflation, which have severely eroded household purchasing power.

The disappointing figures come as a blow to the government, complicating claims of a robust economic recovery ahead of the midterms.