Roadmap to end lockdown puts spotlight on Budget

Johnson’s “crucial but irreversible” roadmap for re-opening the country starts with schools returning on 8 March, much to the relief of accountants who have juggled tax returns and homeschooling. 

The four-stage lockdown timetable focuses first on social interaction outside, with gyms, hospitality and non-essential businesses having to wait until 12 April at the earliest. Under step two of relaxing lockdown, outdoor venues such as pubs and restaurants will be able to re-open. 

But these hospitality businesses and other indoor venues such as cinemas, hotels, B&Bs and group exercise classes will have to wait until step three – which would be no earlier than 17 May – to allow patrons back inside their premises. 

It won’t be until the final step, which will come no later than 21 June, when all legal limits on social contact will be removed and everything up to and including nightclubs will re-open. 

While the timetable gives businesses a roadmap to prepare for their re-opening, the government is putting "data before dates" and will reflect on the impact of relaxating the restrictions before each step.

Economic support

Today’s timetable extends past the expected 30 April 2021 end of the furlough scheme and the business rates holiday. As Labour's Anneliese Dodd pointed out, indoor hospitality won't re-open until 17 May at the earliest which is "more than a month after these businesses have to start paying business rates and more than two weeks after furlough ends".