The real ‘news’ today is that the economic recovery accelerated in June
12 August 2020
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Government and Institutions
In the Media
Len Shackleton quoted in The Telegraph
12 August 2020
Trade, Development, and Immigration
4 November 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Emily Carver, Media Manager, 07715 942 731
Commenting on GDP figures for Q2 2020 published today by the ONS, Julian Jessop, IEA Economics Fellow, said:
“The real ‘news’ today is not that the UK fell into recession in the second quarter. That much we already knew. Instead, it is that the recovery that began in May accelerated in June as the lockdown was eased further.
“The fall in GDP in the second quarter was larger in the UK than in most other countries. This partly reflects the relatively large weight on services in the UK economy which are more vulnerable to social distancing restrictions. It also reflects the fact that many other countries started their lockdown sooner and so took a bigger hit than the UK in the first quarter. It does not reflect any lack of support from fiscal or monetary policy, which has already been ample.
“Looking forward, the key to a strong recovery will be the continued lifting of the lockdown – particularly the reopening of schools – and the return of consumer and business confidence. This requires clear and consistent messaging from government and a focus on allowing markets to work properly again, rather than further state intervention.”
For media enquiries, please contact Emily Carver, Media Manager, on 07715 942 731.
Julian Jessop is available for interview and further comment.
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Emily Carver, Media Manager, 07715 942 731
Commenting on GDP figures for Q2 2020 published today by the ONS, Julian Jessop, IEA Economics Fellow, said:
“The real ‘news’ today is not that the UK fell into recession in the second quarter. That much we already knew. Instead, it is that the recovery that began in May accelerated in June as the lockdown was eased further.
“The fall in GDP in the second quarter was larger in the UK than in most other countries. This partly reflects the relatively large weight on services in the UK economy which are more vulnerable to social distancing restrictions. It also reflects the fact that many other countries started their lockdown sooner and so took a bigger hit than the UK in the first quarter. It does not reflect any lack of support from fiscal or monetary policy, which has already been ample.
“Looking forward, the key to a strong recovery will be the continued lifting of the lockdown – particularly the reopening of schools – and the return of consumer and business confidence. This requires clear and consistent messaging from government and a focus on allowing markets to work properly again, rather than further state intervention.”
Notes to editors
For media enquiries, please contact Emily Carver, Media Manager, on 07715 942 731.
Julian Jessop is available for interview and further comment.
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
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