We all thought 2020 was challenging, and then came 2021! The last 12 months have tested us yet again, with lockdowns, new Covid variants and economic woes. But there’s been plenty to smile about too – we had a cracking summer of sport, some excellent TV and a number of rather amusing political news stories…

So to let’s take a look over the year that was.

January - March

We started 2021 with national lockdown number three, which eventually eased in March. At least the snow helped, giving us all something to do and offered instant entertainment for the kids.

Perhaps no surprise that we were all looking for cosy clothes, which was proven by the most popular Google search in January – for the knitted gloves worn by Bernie Sanders, former US presidential candidate, at Joe Biden’s inauguration!

In the UK the economy started to buckle under the weight of the government’s support of the pandemic. By the start of 2021 the cost of furlough and other interventions was already £271 billion.

So in the March budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out a £65 billion three-point plan to provide support for jobs and businesses in order to forge a path to recovery.

April - June

Millions of people shielding from coronavirus were finally able to leave their homes for the first time since the pandemic started.

Holidays were allowed to a handful of countries. Hair salons and nail bars opened. And we were allowed back into pubs! Outdoors only to start with – which many of us did, despite the fact that in some areas of the country, it was still snowing!

In June Health Secretary Matt Hancock was forced to resign after admitting breaking Covid guidelines when he was snapped snogging university friend Gina Coladangelo in May at the Department of Health HQ in London. He said: “I have let people down and am very sorry.” At least he admitted it!

July - September

It almost came home! On 11 July, England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on a penalty shootout. The country had been gripped by the almost unthinkable possibility that England might actually win due to our impressive performance throughout the tournament, which made the lost even more painful!

However, we consoled ourselves with the Tokyo Olympic Games where Great Britain matched their total from London 2012, winning 65 medals and finishing fourth in the final medal table.

On 19 July, most of the restrictions we had endured due to Covid were removed, and the government announced we were moving into stage four of its Covid 19 Response, which laid out the so-called Roadmap to Recovery.

In September, a cap of £86,000 was introduced on the costs of living in a care home, kicking in from October 2023.

And - back to sport - Emma Raducanu became an overnight sensation – and millionaire – when she won the US Open in September - the first British female to win a major tennis title since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977!

October - December

In October, Squid Game, Netflix's gory South Korean drama, officially become the channel’s most-watched show after hitting 111m views less than a month after its premiere. It was also the most tweeted show of 2021.

At the beginning of November here in the UK, talk focused on all things environmental as the COP26 climate change conference rolled into Glasgow. We did our bit by discussing the investments available in our range of funds that focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.

And in December, the new Covid-19 variant Omicron sparked global alarm as scientists fear that this strain could be more transmissible and be resistant to vaccines. The latest advice is to work from home where possible, but Christmas (so far) is still on!

And finally, we’re back to political gaffs as it was alleged that the government held a Christmas party at Downing Street during lockdown last year. Boris Johnson has repeatedly denied that any event at Downing Street took place… watch this space!

And if there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, about this year or next, then please get in touch!

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

2021: A look back over an eventful year!