UK and EU officials are trying to agree new terms of trade after Brexit took effect in January, but progress has been painfully slow and time is running out to prevent a rupture when transitional arrangements expire at the end of 2020.
British companies have already borrowed nearly £35 billion ($44.4 billion) under government coronavirus relief programs, according to figures released Tuesday by the UK Treasury. And nearly 9 million people — about 27% of the workforce — are relying on the state to pay all or part of their salary at a cost of £19.6 billion ($22.2 billion) thus far.
Unemployment in the United Kingdom could soar to nearly 15% in the fourth quarter if there is a second coronavirus outbreak, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Paris-based agency said Wednesday it expects the UK economy to shrink by 11.5% this year even if a basic free trade agreement with the European Union is reached, and a second wave of infections is avoided.
That is the worst projected contraction among major economies. And if infections spike again and stricter social distancing measures are reintroduced, GDP could collapse by 14%, the OECD added.
Cabinet ministers are now lobbying to have Britain’s two meter social distancing rule lowered to one meter, in line with World Health Organization guidance, according to a government source briefed on discussions. This will be crucial for bars, restaurants and theaters to reopen, and for ensuring that public transport can operate.
Travel and tourism is responsible for almost 4 million UK jobs, or 11% of the workforce, and 9% of UK GDP in 2019, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. It estimates that 1.2 million of these jobs could be lost in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Brexit deadline looms
Given the damage a no-deal Brexit will cause an economy already on its knees, Britain may be left with no other option but to extend the deadline for trade talks. It has until the end of this month to make such a request. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has consistently said he does not want to do this.
David Frost, chief Brexit negotiator for the United Kingdom, said in a statement that “progress remains limited” but insisted the talks have been “positive in tone.”
“If we have a political timescale that takes us to a brinkmanship deal in December that will be catastrophic for British business — they will not be ready,” according to Fairbairn.
The CBI set out proposals for a “jobs-rich economic recovery” in a letter to Johnson on Thursday. The group called on government to prioritize skills-building for young people, invest into the green economy and direct stimulus to small businesses and those focused on high-growth sectors.
The OECD expects unemployment will hit 7.2% in Britain by the end of 2021, even if a second wave of infections is avoided and a trade deal with the European Union comes into force. That compares with 3.9% at the end of the first quarter of this year.
— Charles Riley, Julia Horowitz, Luke McGee, Chris Liakos and Sebastian Shukla contributed to this report.
Source : Nbcnewyork