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Rishi Sunak says GDP may fall 30 per cent due to COVID-19

Britain's gross domestic product (GDP) could fall by up to 30 per cent between April and June, finance minister Rishi Sunak told his colleagues as members of the cabinet call for easing lockdown restrictions amid the COVID-19 outbreak, reports said.

Sunak discussed the possibility of a 25 per cent to 30 per cent fall in GDP in the second quarter.


Reports revealed that ten ministers were pressing for the lockdown to be eased in May.

The report, however, did not identify those ministers.

"It's important that we don't end up doing more damage with the lockdown. We're looking at another three weeks of lockdown and then we can start to ease it," a minister said.

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UK business confidence

The IoD survey, conducted between 14 and 26 November among firms where two-thirds employ fewer than 50 people

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UK services sector confidence plunges to three-year low, CBI says

Highlights

  • Services sector optimism falls to -50
  • Chancellor's £26 bn tax increase blamed for adding business costs.
  • Business sentiment remains near record lows despite marginal post-budget uptick.
Confidence in Britain's services sector has tumbled at the fastest rate in three years, with businesses citing mounting cost pressures and reduced profitability, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The CBI's optimism index for services firms plummeted to -50 in the three months to November, down sharply from -29 in August. This marks the steepest decline, reflecting growing anxiety among business owners.

The organisation surveyed 398 firms between October (28) and November (13), capturing sentiment both before and after chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled her autumn budget on November (26). The budget outlined £26 bn in tax rises, equivalent to approximately $34 bn.

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