Week ahead (1/2)

The impact of Covid-19 on the UK economy will continue to dominate UK focus this week. The UK's mass Covid vaccinations centres will open today, with the continuing aim to get all healthcare workers, the extremely clinically vulnerable and over 80s vaccinated by 15 February. Further out all other high risk people and over 65s are currently expected to receive a first dose of the vaccine by Easter and Matt Hancock said this weekend that all adults would be offered a Covid vaccine by the autumn. The priority for the second phase of vaccinations is currently being discussed but no announcement is expected until next month. Today will also see vaccination data begin to be published on a daily basis. The most recent announcement was that 1/3 over 80s had been offered a vaccination so far. It also remains to be seen whether further restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19 will be brought in or whether the current restrictions will just be enforced more rigorously.