One-way road to freedom?

The 1-minute read to get the money news you need.

Lockdown exit plan

Boris Johnson has set out a 4-step plan to get England back to normal life. He’s prioritised schools, which will reopen on 8th March. Shops, gyms, and barbers could open their doors on 12th April if all goes to plan, followed by pubs and restaurants on 17th May. It’s a slower timetable than many expected - but the Prime Minister said he wants this to be the last lockdown, with all restrictions lifted by 21st June.

Holiday bookings take off

Airlines have seen a surge in bookings for summer holidays. EasyJet has reported a 630% jump in holiday bookings, with most people aiming to get away in August. According to the government’s plan, foreign travel won’t be allowed until 17th May, and it will depend on the verdict of a special report.

Unemployment rises

The jobless rate rose to 5.1% in the last 3 months of last year, according to the Office for National Statistics. That’s the highest since early 2016, and the majority of job losses have been among people under 25. Unemployment is being kept in check by the furlough scheme, which chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to extend in his budget next week. The Bank of England expects the jobless rate to rise to 8% once the scheme ends.

No jab, no job?

Your boss can’t force you to get a coronavirus jab, if you don’t want it. Trade unions say employers could face legal action, if they discriminate against workers who haven’t been vaccinated. There’s concern that a “no jab, no job” policy could hit young people’s job prospects - they’ll be the last to get the vaccine, but are also the most likely to have lost their jobs.