Big UK businesses see ‘long haul’ to recovery

Virus impact: A pedestrian walks across London Bridge, near Tower Bridge, in central London. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said last Friday that Britain’s economy was starting to recover from its coronavirus lockdown but some job-intense sectors remained weak and the longer-term outlook was unclear.— AFP

LONDON: Nearly half of Britain’s biggest companies think it will take until the second half of 2021 before business recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey that cast doubt on hopes for a speedier rebound.

Accountants Deloitte said 49% of chief financial officers from large and mostly listed companies forecast a return to pre-pandemic levels of business only in the latter half of next year.