END OF THE NIGHTMARE?
Economy on course for ‘lift-off’ as Hancock backs plan to get people ‘going to work and living their lives’
RESURGENT Britain is ready for economic “lift off” as hopes grow that our long Covid nightmare “is finally coming to an end”.
Yesterday saw both the lowest recorded death toll for seven months and upbeat projections for the country from the CBI.
Meanwhile, testing will be used to relax self-isolation rules for those who have had contact with someone carrying the virus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This could offer a viable alternative to self-isolation and allow people to carry on going to work and living their lives.”
With ministers confirming that
some measures, including being able to hug relatives in care homes, are set to be eased earlier than planned, MPS believe the end is in sight for lockdown.
Health select committee member Paul Bristow said: “The nightmare is finally coming to an end.”
Fellow committee member, James Davies, who is also a GP, agreed. He said: “Some parts of the world remain in a perilous situation and there are uncertainties about variants.
“Even so, it would seem that for Britain, the nightmare of the last year and a bit is nearly over.”
Dr Davies added that we are not at the point of a free-for-all but insisted there are reasons for strong optimism.
Whitehall insiders have pointed to news that the number of Test and Trace staff employed by the Government is to reduce by 1,500 as a sign “the emergency is drawing to an end”.
Announcements are also due later this week on where British citizens can safely go on holiday.
With businesses unlocking further on May 17 and most restrictions ending on June 21, the Confederation of British Industry is predicting a summer boom.
Its study indicates that private sector activity is expected to grow strongly in the next three months, especially among business and professional services firms, distribution sales and manufacturers.
However, consumer services firms expect activity to remain flat in the next three months.
The CBI’S report, based on 574 responses to recent surveys, also found that private sector activity was flat over the past three months – the first time in almost two years that it did not fall.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: “Growth appears to be poised for lift-off over the summer but this is a recovery that will be felt differently across sectors.
“The Government can ensure reopening is a success by continuing to support businesses getting back on their feet and making the transition to a post-covid world a smooth one, particularly for those firms likely to continue struggling.” Retail chiefs have welcomed the CBI report
and said its findings
matched the renewed consumer confidence being seen on high streets. But they also called for Government support after the summer uplift to continue the recovery through to Christmas.
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, said: “There is optimism. Members are reporting positive sales, people out and about, and a feeling of confidence. The optimism comes from the fact that there is all this money in savings accounts that can be spent.”
The return of live events is also a priority for the Government. Yesterday 750 spectators were