UK to face worst recession in 300 years as Covid crisis continues
The "economic emergency" caused by Covid-19 has only just begun, according to chancellor Rishi Sunak, as he warned the pandemic would deal lasting damage to growth and jobs.
Official forecasts now predict the biggest economic decline in 300 years.
The UK economy is expected to shrink by 11.3% this year and not return to its pre-crisis size until the end of 2022.
Government borrowing will rise to its highest outside of wartime to deal with the economic impact.
The government's independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects the number of unemployed people to surge to 2.6 million by the middle of next year.
It meansΒ the unemployment rate will hit 7.5%, its highest level since the financial crisis in 2009.
Newsnightβs Political Editor Nick Watt and Policy Editor Lewis Goodall report.
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