New figures released this week show over 650,000 in the South West of England are being supported by the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
- 654,800 people have been supported through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough scheme)
- 224,000 self-employed people are receiving grants worth £665million thanks to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Across Swindon the number of people that are currently befitting is 28,000.
Nationally around 10 million workers have been benefiting from Government help while their jobs were on hold.
Commenting on the figures Robert Buckland said: “Both Justin and I are glad that during this extremely difficult time, the Government has stepped in to support employers and employees right across the country, including here in Swindon, through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
“This has been further extended for four months until the end of October. By that point, the Government will have provided eight months of support to British people and businesses”
Employers throughout the wholesale and retail sectors have furloughed the highest number of employers, with 1.6 million workers receiving 80% of their salary from the government and the accommodation and food service sectors, a further 1.4 million people.
