If they truly want to restore the economy, the Government should listen first to the pubs [“We can’t keep switching tap on and off, say pubs,” November 26].
Countries that controlled the virus tightly, such as Taiwan, South Korea, even Finland and Norway, it was reported, have suffered GDP losses of less than 5 per cent, whereas countries that didn’t — instead switching on and off — such as the US, UK and Spain, have seen a far bigger drop in GDP and, worst of both worlds, large numbers of deaths.
Instead, more intent on politics than practical solutions, two of the big Spending Review decisions reveal Boris Johnson’s government is ruling by focus group and regressing to populism. How else to explain a cut in overseas aid and a £16 billion rise in defence spending?
David Murray
Editor’s reply
Dear David
I’m wary of using international comparisons to measure success in fighting coronavirus because of the many differences between countries. It’s also worth remembering our initial lockdown lasted many weeks and was only lifted because infection rates had dropped so significantly. Continuing it then would have been needlessly destructive, not least to hospitality businesses. But now they’re having to bear the brunt of the tier restrictions it seems only fair they should receive more support.
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor
We’re not all in this together
The Government is willing to break its manifesto commitment regarding foreign aid, reducing it to 0.5 per cent of GNI. It is not willing to break its commitment regarding taxes so will not change tax rates. This means the world’s poorest are being made to contribute to the cost of Covid while the richest in Britain are not.
Jon Burden
