A third of workers in region are furloughed

A third of workers in Perth and Kinross were on the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme by the end of June.

Figures released last week show 33 per cent of the region was now on furlough.

That amounts to over 22,000 workers.

The number of furloughed workers increased by over 2000 in the month of June.

In Scotland, only the Highland council area has a higher proportion of its workforce on furlough as the coronavirus pandemic continues to play havoc with the tourism and hospitality industries.

A further 5300 applications had been made in the region to the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme before the end of June, with £16.5 million being paid out.

That means nearly 72 per cent of those eligible had made a claim.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in the region also continues to rise.

In June, 4415 people made a claim, compared with 4325 in May.

The figure has risen from 1815 in January and now represents nearly five per of the population.