Lockdown sends furlough numbers up

HM Revenue and Customs data reveals around 8,200 jobs held by workers living in South Tyneside were furloughed as of January 31.

That was 1,400 more than the 6,800 furloughed a month earlier, when the UK was on the cusp of its third national lockdown.

Despite the increase, the number is still far lower than in May last year – when there were 16,300 furloughed jobs in the borough.

The latest figures come amid reports that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to extend the income support scheme into the summer.

Jobs at firms which are unable to operate or have no work for their employees during the pandemic are eligible for furlough pay from the Government – with workers currently getting 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 per month.

Charlie McCurdy, researcher at the Resolution Foundation think tank which focuses on living standards, said: “This data shows that the Job Retention Scheme again took the strain during the latest lockdown.

"Furlough has once again played a crucial role in protecting incomes and keeping a lid on rising unemployment.

"But with almost five million workers still on furlough in the most recent data, our biggest labour market challenges may be ahead of, rather than behind, us."

Speculation is growing that Mr Sunak will announce an extension to the programme during the March 3 Budget after Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed the Government would not "pull the rug out" from those using taxpayer-funded support schemes.