British finance minister Alistair Darling said on Friday he was confident the British economy would get through a "difficult period" after data showed the economy shrunk more than expected in the third quarter.
Darling also said it would be "disappointing" if OPEC cut oil production. The oil exporters' group decided at an emergency session to cut back output by 1.5 million barrels per day.
He said said it was important the government helped individuals and businesses through the downturn by cutting tax rates for some taxpayers and helping with energy costs.
"If we do that I'm confident that we along with other countries will get through this difficult period," he told Sky News.
Data released earlier showed the British economy shrank 0.5 percent in the third quarter, more than expected and the first fall in 16 years, stoking fears of a painful and prolonged recession.
"It's inconceivable, given what has happened in the global credit crunch or the energy prices which are putting up costs right across the world, that countries are going to be somehow exempted from this. It is affecting each and every one of us," Darling said.
"The key thing though is — just as we showed during the banking problems of the last few weeks — if you act together and take decisive action quickly that will help us get through this period," he said.
"I've lived through the recessions this country saw in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The difference is this time we are determined to do everything we can and as soon as we can to help people so that if they lose their jobs they can get back into work, that if businesses get into difficulty we do our level best to help them," he said.
"That is the key role that government can now perform and that's what I'm determined to do," he added.
Asked about the OPEC decision, Darling said: "I think it would be disappointing if they decided to cut production."
He noted that oil prices have more than halved in recent weeks and that Britain would host a meeting of OPEC countries and oil consumers in December.
"I hope that no matter where you are in the world governments realise that this problem is only going to be resolved reasonably quickly if they work together," he said.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the prime minister was disappointed and concerned by OPEC's decision.
