Responding to the latest figures showing that UK GDP grew by 15.5% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020, but that GDP is still 9.7% below where it was at the end of 2019, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “The growth in the last quarter is testament to the hard work of people in all sectors after the first lockdown. But our economy still has a mountain to climb and hasn’t been helped by the Government’s mistakes in the first wave of coronavirus.
“With a new lockdown in place in England and strict restrictions in other parts of the UK, people are increasingly worried about their jobs and livelihoods. The support the Government has given to date has simply not been adequate.
“To ensure recovery we need a comprehensive economic strategy from the Conservatives – not yet more plans made up at the last minute. This includes supporting the three million people who are still excluded from support as well as extending the furlough scheme at least until June 2021.”