UK consumers likely to hold off spending on socialising, senior Bank official predicts

Ben Broadbent says switch to areas with lower infection risk could linger after lockdown

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Concerns about mutant strains of Covid-19 could depress some types of consumer spending after lockdown eases, one of the Bank of England's most senior officials has said.

Ben Broadbent, deputy governor for monetary policy, said lingering fears about coronavirus variants could deter people from making some spending decisions later this year after restrictions have been relaxed.