The UK government is bringing in up to a hundred business leaders to advise on its post-lockdown plans for reopening the economy, in a further sign it is pushing ahead with efforts to return the country to normal.

Alok Sharma, the government’s business secretary, unveiled the initiative in a statement on 8 June. Five “recovery roundtables” will be set up, each with between 20-25 senior representatives from business and academia, with Sharma chairing each.