British GDP falls more than forecast

Residents of Great Britain have been told GDP will plunge by 4.5 percent in 2009, the largest one-year fall since 1931. Britain has been urged to take more forceful measures against the economy falling much deeper than expected. Economic forecasters have confirmed gloomy assessments of prospects for the British economy following the release of the GDP growth figures.The newest figures are in sharp contrast to the figures given by British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, in his 2009 budget, when he forecast GDP would shrink by only 3.5percent. Opposition figures have used the GDP numbers to accuse the government of being frivolous with public spending. Britain's unemployment now stands at nearly 2 million and many predict it could reach 3 million by the end of 2009.