UK's Economy Grows Again But Still Below Pre-Pandemic Level

The British economy grew by 4.8% in the second quarter of 2021 as lockdown restrictions were lited but remains 4.4% below the level it was just before the start of coronavirus

The British economy grew by 4.8% in the second quarter of 2021 as lockdown restrictions were lited but remain 4.4% below the level it was just before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, official figures showed on Thursday.

The Office for National Statistics also said the British economy grew by 1% in June alone, the fifth straight month of growth. June was the first full month that many sectors of the economy such as pubs and restaurants were fully open inside and out, following the lifting of restrictions.

“The UK economy has continued to rebound strongly, with hospitality benefiting from the first full month of indoor dining, while spending on advertising was boosted by the reopening of many services,” Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics, said.

The lifting of pandemic restrictions following the rapid rollout of vaccines in the UK has buoyed growth in recent months. All legal limits on contact, such as social distancing rules and caps on the number of people allowed to gather together, were lited in July in England. The other nations of the U.K. have been liting restrictions at a slightly slower pace.