The British economy grew by 7.5% in 2021, following a slump of nearly 10% the year before when Covid-19 lockdowns and enduring restrictions disrupted economic activity, the Office for National Statistic (ONS) said on Friday.
The figure represents the strongest gross domestic product (GDP) growth since 1941, when Britain and its empire was in the midst of a six-year war against Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and their allies.
The record growth came in spite of a 0.2% contraction in December as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 triggered tougher restrictions and kept consumers at home in the runup to Christmas. The UK also started 2021 with a prolonged lockdown as Covid case numbers soared in January and record hospitalizations put the NHS under severe pressure.