but possibly more taxation rises in due course!

COVID put us on a war footing. And the UK & US spent a lot of money they didn't have in fighting WW2. Austerity and high taxes followed in the wake.

All the signs are there. Unemployment. Stock market riding high on vapour. People hanging on until the all clear.

But hard times are coming, and we haven't got the measure of how hard. Yea, Yea, how could we? But it will change a lot of things (has), and change costs money. The hope is that there is a pay-back. So, anyone care to put a monetary value on COVID pay-back and compare it with the mortgage** we have taken out on the future? Before we postulate on the social costs involved.

**And I didn't factor-in the cost of the "B" word