VAT, NICs … what will Rishi Sunak’s summer statement target?

The chancellor is hoping to boost a British economy emerging from lockdown. Here is how he might do it

On Wednesday, the chancellor will attempt to shore up Britain's economic recovery from coronavirus as lockdown controls are lifted across most of England. But Rishi Sunak is facing a delicate balancing act while severe risks to public health remain.

Although expectations that this will be a blockbuster summer statement are being downplayed, here are some of the policy changes the chancellor is thought to be considering for this week's economic update.

Epidemics of infectious diseases behave in different ways but the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed more than 50 million people is regarded as a key example of a pandemic that occurred in multiple waves, with the latter more severe than the first. It has been replicated - albeit more mildly - in subsequent flu pandemics.

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