Latest updates: home office minister defends allowing quarantining travellers ‘gulp of fresh air’ after warning from Australia
- Economy hit by record slump in 2020 but double-dip recession avoided
- Wales on course to be first UK nation to offer jab to all priority groups
- Thousands of live-in care staff in England still to receive vaccine
- Global coronavirus updates – live
The UK’s economy shrunk faster than at any point in 100 years in 2020, as gross domestic product (GDP) dropped by 9.8%, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:
Today’s figures show that the economy has experienced a serious shock as a result of the pandemic, which has been felt by countries around the world.
While there are some positive signs of the economy’s resilience over the winter, we know that the current lockdown continues to have a significant impact on many people and businesses.
The government’s hotel quarantine scheme has also come under fire because travellers were left unable to book rooms just days before the policy is due to come into force.
The online booking portal crashed shortly after it was launched on Thursday afternoon, and is not expected to be up and running again until around 10am on Friday, PA Media reports.
