The economy of the United Kingdom (UK) is only 3.7 percent smaller than the level of February 2020, the month before the British went through a severe crisis for months. This is shown on Friday by figures from the British CBS-counterpart Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The British economy, comprising the economies of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, grew 2.3 percent in April. This increase coincides with the reopening in the UK. In early April, for example, non-essential shops, terraces and gyms were reopened in England. Scotland and Northern Ireland followed later in April.

This increase is expected to continue in May, as coronavirus measures were further relaxed in mid-May, giving consumers and businesses more freedom. The British are thus reaping the benefits of the successful vaccination campaign.

The next and final phase of the reopening is scheduled for 21 June. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson then wants to get England completely reopen nightclubs, end social distancing and relax measures around major events.

In the meantime, there is talk in London of postponing this final step, given the rise of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. In the north-west of England, in cities like Manchester, the number of infections is increasing rapidly. However, the number of hospitalisations is not that bad compared to previous coronavirus outbreaks, probably because of the high vaccination rate.