German economy on brink

GERMANY was branded ‘the sick man of Europe’ last night as the economy suffered its worst month in over two years.

The latest economic health check on the country by research group S&P Global showed output is now falling – a sign that the economy is shrinking.

Experts warned the entire eurozone faces recession as soaring prices and the energy crisis hammer households and businesses. Germany – hugely reliant on Russian gas – is rationing hot water and dimming street lights.

Julian Jessop, an Institute of Economic Affairs economist, said the country was now ‘the sick man of Europe’.

Germany has historically been seen as the driving force of the European economy.