Nearly 40,000 helped by aid
support firms and it covers up to 80% of an employee’s salary, capped at £2,500 a month per worker.
Across the North East, 282,500 jobs were furloughed by the end of May. The latest UK-wide figure stood at 8.9m as of June 7, amounting to £19.6bn in payments.
The support will run until the end of October, with flexible furloughing starting in July, whereby employers will cover staffing costs for parttime work while claiming for the rest of their pay packet from the Government.
Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady said the furlough scheme has been a “vital lifeline” but added: "We are calling on Government to set up a national recovery council with unions and employers to help support companies and workers in the challenging times ahead. Matthew Fell,
UK policy director at the Confederation of British Industry, saidfirmsunderstoodtheprogramme needed to be wound up at some point.
Headded:“However,previously viable firms not able to open until later, particularly in leisure, hospitality and the creative industries, may need further assistance in the coming months.”
Separate figures show about 6,700 people in Sunderland applied to the Selfemployment Income Support Scheme by the end of May.
Claims made by people in the city amounted to £17.2m, with 74% of those thought to be eligible in the area having asked for cash.
Mr Sunak said: “Our unprecedented coronavirus support schemes are protecting millions of vital jobs and businesses – and will help ensure we recover as swiftly as possible.”