UK consumer spending approaches levels last seen before coronavirus

Sunny weather and reopening of shops boost sales, but GDP figure expected to confirm recessionCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSunny weather and the reopening of non-essential shops across most of the UK has fuelled an increase in consumer spending close to pre-pandemic levels, according to retail industry figures.The deepest recession in a century is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday, but figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and accountancy firm