UK economy suffering most damage since first wave of Covid-19

Some positive signs besides vaccine rollout, but high infection rates and lockdown measures taking their toll

• Covid cases push UK closer to double-dip recession
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Britain's economy is suffering the most damage since the first wave of Covid-19 as persistently high infection rates and renewed lockdown measures delay the economic recovery from the pandemic, according to a Guardian analysis.

Almost a year on since the pandemic spread to Europe, focus is shifting towards how quickly coronavirus vaccines can be deployed, with the UK, for now, among countries leading the pack. Economists said this could increase the likelihood of the British economy outperforming other countries' later this spring, depending on when lockdown restrictions are lifted.