London emerges from tough lockdown in bad shape

Brexit and the pandemic hit the UK capital harder than other regions, raising questions about its ability to power the country’s economic recovery

British prime minister Boris Johnson. 'If London struggles and I were the national government, I’d be deeply worried' said Andrew Carter, chief executive of the Centre for Cities, a non-partisan research group.

London is emerging from lockdown bruised by Brexit and a pandemic that hit the UK capital harder than other regions, raising questions about its ability to power the country’s economic recovery.

The city accounts for a quarter of UK output and suffered almost 30% of the drop in payrolls countrywide in the past year, official data show. People are moving to the suburbs and beyond in search of space, and Britain’s exit from the EU is draining away high-paying work in finance.