Nearly 50,000 workers in south Essex are being financially supported by the Government’s Furlough scheme, new figures show.
Ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget tomorrow, provisional data from HMRC has been released about the furlough scheme up until January 31.
The scheme was put in place at the start of the Covid pandemic to support businesses and prevent widespread job losses.
It sees the Government pay up to 80 per cent of an employee's salary (up to a maximum of £2,500 per month).
The HMRC data shows Thurrock has the highest number of workers on the scheme in south Essex.
Around 13,000 people were on furlough as of January 31.
READ MORE:
- Can we go on holiday after lockdown? Health chief warns of 'great uncertainty'
- Mid and south Essex hospitals see drop in weekly Covid deaths
The data also shows there are more women on the furlough scheme in south Essex than men.
Here is a breakdown of the figures for each part of the region:
Southend
Number of females on furlough – 6,100
Number of males on furlough – 6,100
Total number of people on furlough – 12,200
Total take-up rate of eligible people – 16%
Basildon
Number of females on furlough – 6,700
Number of males on furlough – 5,800
Total number of people on furlough – 12,500
Total take-up rate of eligible people – 14%
Castle Point
Number of females on furlough – 3,300
Number of males on furlough – 2,700
Total number of people on furlough – 6,000
Total take-up rate of eligible people – 16%
Rochford
Number of females on furlough – 3,100
Number of males on furlough – 2,600
Total number of people on furlough – 5,700
Total take-up rate of eligible people – 15%
Thurrock
Number of females on furlough – 7,400
Number of males on furlough – 5,600
Total number of people on furlough – 13,000
Total take-up rate of eligible people – 15%
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has appeared to confirm that the furlough scheme will be extended.
Ahead of Rishi Sunak’s Budget announcement tomorrow, he told BBC Breakfast: “I think the Chancellor has already indicated that we will be extending furlough.
“I think that has been part of a public announcement. I think there will be other measures that we will see tomorrow.”
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today it was a “fairly good assumption that while lockdown persists there will be additional support”.
“I think it is really important that we don’t crush the recovery before it’s happened,” he said.
“In order to keep people’s jobs going, in order to keep companies going we need to continue providing support. I think there is every indication that is what the Chancellor will do.
“My view is that the way to get out of this difficult situation is to grow the economy.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here