I haven't seen it reported anywhere, but the recession in the UK is almost one year old.
Looking at the details of the GDP numbers released yesterday, you'll see that the economy actually contracted in the second quarter of 2008. Previously, the data showed the economy basically had stalled in the second quarter...now they suggest a small decline, but technically, that dates beginning of the recession to last spring.
MPC member David Blanchflower guessed as much in a speech in January of this year, but we only got official confirmation yesterday.
Of course, for business, it doesn't matter when the recession started, but when will it end. Ultimately, that depends on sorting out the banking crisis and restoring confidence to business and households.
But don't ask me when that's likely to happen. I'm just an economist.