Growth could remain sluggish, too, during the first few months of this year, with pandemic-related supply chain bottlenecks and persistent labour shortages easing only gradually.

Some 3pc of UK employees are now off work due to Covid symptoms, self-isolation or quarantine. That’s the most since June 2020, the height of full lockdown – which, for now, will almost certainly hold the economy back.

In his Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak adopted growth projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility – forecasting GDP expansion of 6.5pc in 2021, followed by 6pc this year, assumptions underpinning pretty much every other budget estimate.

If growth turns out faster than forecast, tax receipts will be higher and benefit spending less, flattering the public finances. Slower growth, conversely, means the fiscal position gets worse.

Consider, then, that the UK economy – full of resilient firms and enthusiastic consumers – has probably outperformed during 2021, even if some growth is reversed in December. The statistical bounce back is such that, when full-year data is available, we could see 7-7.5pc growth during 2021, outpacing the 6.5pc Budget forecast.