EasyJet and Tesco have both benefitted from government support. That’s where the similarity ends

EasyJet is burning through cash and losing money. It’s far from alone in finding its back against the wall as a result of Covid-19, while the thriving grocery sector benefits from tax breaks it doesn’t need, writes James Moore

EasyJet is burning through cash faster than Tesco is making it (PA)

Comparing EasyJet with Tesco looks a bit like assessing the relative merits of a labrador puppy and a reticulated python.

The former two are both businesses that have shareholders and try to make money for them, the latter are both animals that people keep as pets (yep, some really do cuddle up with 20ft monster constrictor snakes). But that’s about as far as the points they have in common go.

That said, we live in strange and interesting times, and not in a good way. So as of today, this pair of very different businesses have something in common that isn’t usually there: because of the coronavirus pandemic they have both enjoyed significant levels of government support.