The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in October, marking the second monthly decline fueled by uncertainty related to the government budget. Key sectors including construction and production reported drops, leading to concerns over long-term growth as consumer confidence remains low. Despite efforts by the government to stimulate growth through policy changes, including tax increases, business sentiment appears to be dampening, with many companies forecasted to slow hiring and investment. Analysts predict that this economic contraction could influence upcoming decisions by the Bank of England regarding interest rates.