Sterling tumbles broadly today on concern that UK is returning to coronavirus lockdown. Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical officer, is expected to warn at a briefing, “the trend in the UK is heading in the wrong direction and we are at a critical point in the pandemic… We are looking at the data to see how to manage the spread of the virus ahead of a very challenging winter period”
Separately, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also said UK was at a critical juncture, but any lockdown should be balanced. “We’re certainly at a very critical moment this morning,” Shapps said. “It is clear that we are just a few weeks behind what we’re seeing elsewhere in Europe.” “It is very important that we do everything we can to sort of bear down on this,” he added. “We’ll hear from others including the prime minister on the proposed next steps.”
