More than 28% of workers in Wales on furlough
MORE than one in four employees in the Welsh workforce have been furloughed.
UK Government figures show that 378,400 people in Wales have been furloughed up to the end of June – representing 28.9% of the Welsh workforce (based on residential addresses).
The majority of those affected are employed in wholesale and retail, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing.
The UK as whole: ■ London – 29.8% ■ South-east – 28.6% ■ North-west – 29.7% ■ East – 28.7% ■ West Midlands 31.8% ■ South-west – 30.6% ■ Yorkshire and Humber – 29.6% ■ East Midlands – 29.7% ■ North-east – 29.6%
–
■ Wales – 28.9% ■ Scotland – 29.8% ■ Northern Ireland – 30.4%
Under the Job Retention Scheme, 80% of wages (capped at £2,500 a month) of affected staff have been paid by the UK Treasury, as well as employer national insurance and pension contributions.
From next month the scheme will see employers having to contribute, which will be ratcheted up until the end of October, when the programme is scheduled to end.
In Wales a further 108,000 self-employed people have claimed £289m in support under the Self Employment Income Support scheme, with those eligible able to claim a second final grant in August of £6,570.
However, those selfemployed with annual trading profits in excess of £50,000 are exempted.
For the UK as a whole, 9.4 million workers, employed by 1.2 million companies, have been furloughed at a cost of £28.7bn as of July 12.
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “The latest figures demonstrate that the UK Government is continuing to do everything it can to support people in Wales and the Welsh economy through this crisis, particularly as we adjust to a gradual and cautious reopening of society.
“Taken together with other incentives such as the Job Retention Bonus, worth £1,000 per employee for companies who retain furloughed staff, we are backing businesses and employers to keep people in work as we begin the task of rebuilding our economy.
“The UK Government is also providing £2.8bn in funding through the Barnett formula to help the Welsh Government in delivering its response to the coronavirus. We will continue to work with ministers in the devolved administration to ensure our response to the coronavirus provides even greater certainty for employers and workers.”