UK Companies See Orders Boom on Hopes of Lockdown Ending

The sun is seen rising over skyscrapers in the City of London financial district in London, Britain, on May 3, 2018. Toby Melville/Reuters

LONDON—Surging new orders before an easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions has prompted a stronger rebound for British companies than expected this month, although price pressures are rising sharply, too, a business survey showed on Wednesday.

Canary Wharf stands in London, Britain, on Dec. 27, 2020. Simon Dawson/Reuters