Huge number are furloughed

New figures have revealed that nearly 40,000 workers in South Lanarkshire have been furloughed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

And statistics from HMRC show the wages of nearly 100,000 jobs across Lanarkshire as a whole have been supported by the UK Government since the start of the coronavirus retention scheme.

The scheme, along with the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), were announced as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Businesses have furloughed 81,000 jobs across Lanarkshire up to May 31.

The SEISS scheme has supported 17,400 self-employed individuals across Lanarkshire paying grants worth a total of £50.4 million.

An announcement was made on May 12 that the scheme will run until the end of October to continue the support for jobs and businesses as people return to work.

But Labour MSP Monica Lennon has called for more to be done to protect jobs and the economy long-term as lockdown eases.

She said:“We now know that 40,000 workers in South Lanarkshire have benefitted from the Job Retention scheme so far.

“This is a significant number of jobs, and it would be unacceptable for the scheme to be ended abruptly and for the employers and staff who are using this scheme to face a financial cliff edge.

“It’s obvious we need longer-term guarantees from the UK government, but we also need action now about how to reignite our local economy.

“That’s why I’ve been calling for business groups and local leaders to come together to work on an urgent recovery plan for local businesses that will save jobs.

However, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack MP said nearly 800,000 jobs across Scotland have been saved by direct UK Government coronavirus support.

He added:“People and businesses in Scotland have also benefited from UK-wide schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal Credit.

“In addition, the Scottish Government has been allocated an extra £3.8 billion in coronavirus funding through the Barnett Formula.

“This unprecedented package of UK Government support is protecting

Scottish jobs and businesses, and will ensure that Scotland’s economy can recover for the future.”