Almost 900,000 Scots jobs safeguarded by furlough schemes

Almost 900,000 Scots have had their jobs safeguarded by the Treasury's bailout of the economy - a rise of about 150,000 in recent months, official figures show.

Corinna Collier, of Caoba in Edinburgh, has now been able to take her staff off furlough. Picture: Poppy Thompson

It has emerged that 736,500 jobs have been furloughed, up by more than 100,000 since May.

In addition, 155,000 self-employed jobs have also been saved through £449 million of support, up by about 10,000, through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

The Job Retention Scheme has seen the Government pay 80% of the wages of workers forced to stay at home during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Alister Jack says support has been "unprecedented"

Taken together the figures represent more than a third of the country's total workforce.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “The UK Government has supported almost 900,000 jobs in Scotland so far through our unprecedented package of UK-wide coronavirus assistance. People and businesses in Scotland also continue to benefit from UK-wide schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal Credit.

“This is in addition to the extra £4.6 billion allocated to the Scottish Government for coronavirus funding through the Barnett Formula.

“As shown by the Chancellor’s “Plan for Jobs”, the UK Government continues to do whatever it takes to get Scotland, and the whole of the UK, through the coronavirus pandemic and ensure our economy can get back on track.”

The UK Government has pledged to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of October, with flexible part-time furloughing starting at the beginning of July to support businesses as the economy starts to reopen.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has also been extended with those eligible able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,570.

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