Biggest bounce since ‘41

Economy growing fast

The economy is growing at its fastest pace for 80 years according to EY Item Club, which predicts that GDP will grow 7.6% this year. That would be the biggest bounce since 1941. The forecaster reckons the economy could get back to its pre-pandemic size by the end of 2021 thanks to the vaccine rollout coupled with a big bounceback in consumer spending.

Heathrow losing cash

London’s Heathrow Airport has urged the government to open up travel for vaccinated passengers, after its pandemic losses hit $4 billion. It used to be Europe’s busiest airport - but it’s had just 4 million fliers in 2021 so far. That’s less than 18 days worth of traffic at pre-pandemic levels.

NHS pay rise

Senior doctors will be consulted over whether to strike in response to a 3% pay rise that the government put on the table last week. The British Medical Association union previously said they might, unless senior doctors got a 5% rise at minimum. It argues NHS staff are exhausted and feel undervalued because of previous below-inflation pay rises.