Economy will come roaring back after COVID-19, says Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the economy will take a short-term hit from the coronavirus outbreak, but should come “roaring back” as the disease declines.

After another turbulent day on the markets with billions wiped off the values of shares, the Prime Minister acknowledged the economy was facing a “severe blow”.

But speaking at a No 10 news conference, he said the “fundamentals” of the UK economy remained very strong – unlike at the time of the global financial crash of 2008 – and that it was well-placed to recover.

“Everybody sees that this is going to be potentially a severe blow for the economy,” he said.

“Everybody can see the risks that this situation imposes, the risk to demand, the risk to supply, but if we get it right and if we get the right response and if we work together then we can ensure that it is a short-term problem because the fundamentals of the UK economy are very strong.

“This is unlike 2008 – there isn’t a systemic problem within the economy.”

Johnson added that “if we can get the disease under control in the way that we’re describing, if we can flatten that peak and it starts eventually to decline” then there was “absolutely no reason why economies worldwide should not come roaring back”.

Following a conference call with other leaders of the G7 group of leading industrialised nations, he said there had been “widespread agreement” about what steps were needed.

“I think there is a widespread agreement amongst colleagues in the G7 that we are going to need to make sure everybody has access to liquidity,” he said.

“If we do things jointly then I think that the global markets will understand that we’re all really operating in the same sort of fiscal framework and I think we’ll be much more successful that way.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, asked if he would consider giving the funds to help businesses directly to regional mayors and combined authorities, told the Commons: “I’m discussing with the Chancellor of the Exchequer a further package of support because it is absolutely clear the measures we are having to take will have a very significant impact on business.”

Labour former leader Ed Miliband urged Hancock “to match unprecedented public health measures he has announced today with unprecedented economic measures to support all the businesses large and small, their workers, the self-employed who will be affected”.

Miliband added: “It is no fault of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that his Budget was last Wednesday and it is now out of date, but can I use the Secretary of State to urge him to come back to the House with economic measures that match the gravity of the moment.”

Tory MP Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) echoed those calls, and said: “It would now be useful for the Chancellor to return to the House this week and clearly lay out the latest raft of measures available to support businesses large and small, employees, the self-employed and freelancers.”

Hancock replied: “Of course these are matters for the Chancellor of the Exchequer rather than me and there was a G7 call today which the Prime Minister participated in, in which the economic considerations like this were considered.”

He added that the Government has its “eyes wide open” to the economic consequences of coronavirus.

DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) said while it was “no longer business as usual” it was “bills as usual” for families and businesses as he urged greater tax relief.

Image: PA Video