The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

Work schemes ‘safeguard almost 900,000 jobs north of the border’

- BY DEREK HEALEY

Nearly 900,000 jobs across Scotland have been safeguarde­d by the furlough scheme and support for the selfemploy­ed, according to UK Government figures.

Statistics show the Coronaviru­s Job Retention Scheme furloughed 736,500 Scottish workers up to the end of June – 29.8% of all eligible jobs.

The scheme currently pays 80% of furloughed employees’ wages, up to £2,500 a month, although the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced plans to reduce UK Government contributi­ons from August and end the scheme in October.

Another 155,000 claims have been made to the scheme supporting selfemploy­ed workers, and it has paid out £449 million in Scotland.

An estimated 75% of eligible self-employed Scottish workers have applied for the financial support, with an average claim of £2,900.

The figures, broken down by local authority area, show the Highlands had the highest percentage of furloughed jobs in Scotland, at 34%.

In total, 36,000 people applied for support in the region, against a total of 108,500 eligible jobs.

Perth and Kinross was the second highest at 33% – a total of 22,200 jobs – while Na h-Eileanan Siar had the lowest proportion in Scotland, at 23%.

The percentage of furloughed jobs was 27% in Aberdeensh­ire, 30% in Aberdeen and 31% in Moray.

Scottish Conservati­ve finance spokesman and Highlands and Islands MSP, Donald Cameron said: “The Covid-19 pandemic delivered an unpreceden­ted shock to businesses the length and breadth of our region and many desperatel­y needed immediate help to keep afloat. The UK Government response has been extraordin­ary in its scale and speed, made possible by having the resources of the sixth largest economy in the world.”

Scotland’s economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We would ask again that the chancellor considers extending the job retention scheme, particular­ly for sectors especially hard hit by the pandemic or those unlikely to recover quickly.

“It is only fair these businesses are supported when they’ve had to close through no fault of their own and have undoubtedl­y helped save lives as a result.”

 ??  ?? Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans to reduce UK Government contributi­ons
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans to reduce UK Government contributi­ons

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