(Bloomberg) — UK retail sales declined more than expected in October, as uncertainty over Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves first budget prompted consumers to hold back spending. 

Retail sales volumes, which measure the quantity bought, decreased by 0.7% in October, the Office for National Statistics said.

Sales volumes fell by more than expected in October with clothing stores having a "notably poor" month.

Closely-watched PMI figures for this month were worse than analysts had pencilled in amid mounting fears of a slowdown.