Britain Plans for a Big Summertime Blowout
The U.K.’s vaccine rollout laid the foundations for Rishi Sunak’s budget, but what happens after the post-lockdown party?
A magic box?
Photographer: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFPWednesday’s U.K. budget offered yet more in the way of pandemic pain medication, but thanks to the success of Britain’s vaccination program, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak could make a start at mapping out a post-Covid order. The short-term, at least, is looking rosier for Britain.
Sunak decided, correctly, that it was too soon to focus on repairing public finances at the expense of pandemic relief. The U.K. is seven weeks into a third national lockdown and while kids return to school next week, the country will have to wait until June 21 for a full reopening. Many businesses, especially in hospitality and retail, are running out of cash and their survival is in question.