The UK government has been spectacularly successful in shutting down vast swathes of the UK economy in their efforts to control the COVID pandemic.
What will happen next? Will we see the gradual release of restrictions as the vaccination program starts to impact infection rates, and more importantly, the pressure on NHS staff and resources? Or will there be a brief respite followed by further lockdown disruption?
A green light
Let’s speculate that we get a green light and come the end of June it’s all systems go: no restrictions.
According to banking pundits, UK consumers have saved during the last year. If you consider this together with a desperate wish to step outside and shop, travel, holiday, be entertained and visit the local for conversation and a pint, we should expect a surge in demand for products and services.
Unemployment should fall as national product start to rise.
A red light
Contrast this with situation if the expected drop in infections does not happen.
Those business forced to close during the last year will likely give up the ghost and drift towards insolvency, bankruptcy and despair.
There would be no rapid return to normality and UK citizens would presumably continue their home confinement.
Unemployment will possibly rise as there must be a limit to the support that government can offer to encourage businesses to retain staff. And it is doubtful that GDP will rise.
The outlook for professional advisers
In both cases there will be work for professions to do, but advisers must be praying that lockdown will not return.
In the meantime, let us hope that the outcomes of present COVID prevention methods are successful and that the completed title of this post turns out to be Ready Steady Go.
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