Damage done to Britain's prosperity by the severity of the lockdown is terrifying. It has not been made any easier by the wilful destruction of the country's smaller enterprises.

The scale of the task was outlined by Paul Johnson from the Institute for Fiscal Studies this week when he projected a deficit of £260 billion this year.

To make matters easier for the lenders, the Bank of England has already released counter-cyclical buffers to prepare for current loan demand.

A survey based on firms across the advanced world and emerging markets found Covid-19 is creating unprecedented stress with likely falls of 25 per cent in revenues, soaring debt levels and bankruptcies.

When the coronavirus became an issue early this year there was much loose talk about it being no more than a cold. Similarly, it was easy to regard the economic impact as transitory.

For everyone managing a pension or investment fund, Shell's decision to slash its dividend by two-thirds and suspend promised share buybacks will be a profound shock.

What Britain's fight against coronavirus has shown is the monolithic approach of Public Health England at the outset of the crisis was a terrible error, which frustrated the medical research community.

Blackwell has again come to the fore after the Treasury is understood to have been exasperated at Lloyds' lacklustre embrace of the Coronavirus Interruption Loan Scheme.

When Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party were proposing to go on a spending spree ahead of last December's general election there was much talk of a magic money tree.

ALEX BRUMMER: In spite of best government efforts the nation is heading for a slump, a surge of insolvencies and levels of unemployment almost certainly not seen in our lifetimes. Action is needed.

ITV's chief exec Carolyn McCall has done the right things to limit the scarring. Some 800 workers have been furloughed, the dividend and executive pay have been cut and costs severely pruned.

By unhappy coincidence, the anniversary of the most rapturous day in British history, victory in the war against Nazi evil, comes amid a dismal historic message from the Bank of England.

As a nation in lockdown commemorated VE-Day, here is something to ponder. In the midst of the War, policymakers in Britain and around the world were deep in planning for the peace.

The Manchester City right-back hosted a £2,000 sex party with escorts while the Aston Villa captain crashed his £70,000 Range Rover after partying at a friend's flat.

With clubs exploring different ways to freshen up squads amid the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak, Barca and Spurs are looking into a swap deal for the two midfielders.

The 37-year-old has been the figurehead of BT Sport's coverage of the Scottish game for eight years and their impact has been akin to the Glasgow kiss of the city that produced him.

Rakitic has been a key part of Barca's success since joining the club from Sevilla in 2014 but has been relegated to a supporting role this season after losing his place to Frenkie De Jong.

During the coronavirus pandemic Spurs have walked into one PR gaffe after another ranging from cutting non-playing staff pay, to multiple training sessions breaking social distancing rules.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have ruled the football globe for more than a decade, but Jose Mourinho believes Ronaldo Nazario eclipses both the Juventus and Barcelona stars.

Former Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has warned the club on pursuing top targets Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho as they might come 'for the money'.

Thomas Meunier has been 'clearly won over' by Jose Mourinho, putting Tottenham 'at the front of the queue' to sign him. The PSG defender becomes a free agent in the summer.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he has not interest in ever coaching in the Premier League again as it doesn't fit his style of management.

A brilliant strike from Tomas Rosicky in the second minute of the match secured a 1-0 victory for the Gunners at White Hart Lane in March 2014 against their north London rivals.

England midfielder Harry Winks has called on men to be open about any struggles they are having with life in lockdown.

It has been six weeks since the Premier League came to an abrupt halt but now Spurs have been given the green light to resume training again - as long as they adhere to social distancing rules.

Dimitar Berbatov has heaped praise on Manchester United striker Anthony Martial, speaking highly of the 'unbelievable' talent he saw when they were together at Monaco. 

Origi and Alexander-Arnold combined to put Barcelona to the sword in last year's Champions League semi-final second leg at Anfield last year, overturning a three-goal deficit.

Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo (in picture) says he has no intention of leaving the club for Tottenham or Juventus. The talented Brazilian has been discussed by Spurs and the Italian champions.

The £54million signing from Lyon is unsettled at Spurs and is open to discussing a move to Barcelona this summer. The Catalan side would prefer to offer players in exchange for him.

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN: The country's leading clubs have reaffirmed their commitment to women's football amid concerns over the impact of the coronavirus crisis on it.

Spurs have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in relation to the coronaviurs in recent times but with the help of Jose Mourinho they are stepping up their aid in the fight against Covid-19.

The Argentine will hold special status among many Spurs fans after guiding them to a first ever place in the Champions League final last year - only to fall to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.

There have been a number of fierce clashes between the two sides in recent seasons, with the pair regularly competing at the top end of the Premier League and in domestic cups.

The Gypsy King was due to face Deontay Wilder for the third time this summer, but that showdown is now unlikely to take place until November or December.

Spurs' operation is being used by staff and relatives of North Middlesex University Hospital, with various facilities being put in place to ease pressure on nearby hospitals while they tackle Covid-19.

Always in the market for a bargain, Spurs are reportedly hopeful of securing a cut-price deal with Bournemouth before Fraser becomes a free agent when his contract expires in June.

Tottenham's second-choice goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga says he is not dwelling on Harry Kane's £200million transfer rumours as he is only 'thinking of him as a Tottenham player'

Chelsea winger Willian admitted he keeps in contact with Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho and would be open to a summer transfer as his contract with Chelsea is almost up.

England defender Kieran Trippier is facing a lengthy ban and a fine after being charged by the Football Association with breaching betting rules.

AHEAD OF THE GAME: Chelsea players' U-turn on accepting pay cuts last weekend followed pressure from players at other Premier League clubs

Son isn't the first footballer to serve his country. Sportsmail has looked at some of the other stars to have swapped the pitch for the army barracks or helped their country in some capacity.

The French midfielder joined the north London club last summer in a £65million move from Lyon, but has massively failed to deliver on the overwhelming expectation heaped on his shoulders.

It was the game former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg revealed 'was by far the hardest match' he ever had to officiate - the Battle of the Bridge on this day four years ago.

The Barcelona star enters the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp this summer and the Spanish side are keen to recoup a transfer fee for him to help ease their financial concerns.

The Bosnian midfielder is keen on the move from Turin to the Nou Camp once the summer transfer window opens but any deal involves Brazilian Arthur agreeing to join Juventus.

Barcelona are reportedly interested in young Polish star Michal Karbownik, but may face opposition from a number of clubs from his signature. The 19-year-old currently plays for Legia Warsaw.

Ndombele, Tottenham's record signing for £54million, appears ready to try and make the most of his time in north London and prove his critics wrong according to the Telegraph .

In May 2016, a 2-2 draw between the Blues and Spurs at Stamford Bridge, with Eden Hazard scoring a late equaliser, handed the Premier League title to Leicester City after an ill-tempered affair.

Tottenham have been dealt a significant financial blow by the news that the NFL London games have been cancelled. It was announced on Monday that the upcoming season will be played in the US.

The enduring image of Tottenham's leap into elite European football was not Peter Crouch's decisive goal, Ledley King's peerless defending or Gareth Bale's jet-propelled bursts down the wing.