Britain's economy has shrunk for the first time in five quarters, as record-level inflation is affecting a wide range of economic activities.

The Office for National Statistics said on Friday that the gross domestic product in the April-June period fell 0.1 percent from the previous quarter.

The office says the figure translates into an annual contraction of 0.3 percent.

Personal spending on clothes, food and restaurant services declined by 0.2 percent.

State expenditures dropped 2.9 percent mainly because smaller spending on coronavirus measures such as tests and contact tracing, after the government lifted restrictions on movement.

Energy prices are surging against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Annual consumer price inflation rose in June to 9.4 percent, the highest since February 1982.

The Bank of England estimates that inflation will exceed 13 percent in the October-December period, and the country will fall into recession by the end of this year.

The central bank is tightening its monetary policy to help curb the inflation. But rapid rate hikes could pour too much cold water on the economy.