The U.K.'s rapid vaccine rollout should allow for a phased re-opening of the economy this year, translating into a strong recovery in GDP growth during 2021 and 2022. Narrower access to the EU is however likely to weigh on the recovery. The public deficit will start to narrow this year as government support measures are withdrawn, enabling general government debt to GDP to start reducing from 2022. We are affirming our 'AA/A-1+'sovereign credit ratings on the U.K. The outlook is stable. On April 23, 2021, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its 'AA/A-1+' unsolicited long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the U.K. The outlook is stable. At the same time, we affirmed our 'AA/A-1+' long- and short-term
