Last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the Government’s plans to ease social and economic COVID-19 restrictions in England on July 19, with a final decision to be taken on July 12.

Responding to the news, City of London Corporation Policy Chair Catherine McGuinness, said:

“This is very encouraging news for the many City businesses desperate to return to something like normality without social contact restrictions.

“Businesses will be particularly pleased to receive clarity on the timeline for returning to workplaces to make up for months of lost trading.

“We need a strong economy to help pay for the vast amount of support provided since the pandemic began.

“We look forward to the safe return of City workers, who will help restore vibrancy to our streets.

“In the meantime, we continue to urge all Londoners to follow the guidance to protect the NHS and save lives, by reducing the transmission of COVID.”