The UK economy flatlined in April, according to early official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there was zero growth in April compared to the 0.4% figure recorded during March.
A Reuters news agency poll of economists had predicted the 0% performance given earlier evidence that wet weather had knocked retail sales and construction output particularly hard.
The GDP (gross domestic product) report from the ONS - the last to be released ahead of the election - showed UK overall rainfall at 155% of the long-term average in April.
Construction output was found to have declined by 1.4% as a result, also aided by poor demand for construction products in the manufacturing sector.
Production was down by 0.9%, the ONS said, while the mighty services sector - accounting for almost 80% of UK output - grew by just 0.2%.
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