ONS statistics show extent of furlough use

Two thirds of businesses have applied for the government’s furlough scheme, according to the Office for National Statistics.

It says more than 500,000 claims covering four million staff have been made under the jobs scheme, which pays 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month.

The ONS statistics also show more than 80% of firms that have temporarily stopped trading are using the furlough scheme, as well as 61% of those that have remained open.

VAT deferral scheme

Meanwhile, 56% of companies have also applied for the VAT deferral scheme, while 42% have received support from business rates holidays. It is reported that the Treasury is talking with business groups to allow companies to claim support from its furlough scheme for staff returning to work part time under plans for a gradual reopening of the economy.

Staff illness

Meanwhile, new research by HR software company Firstcare finds that staff illness has cost the UK economy £5.3bn during the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 47% of absences were due to non-confirmed cases of Covid-19, while another 45% were due to employees self-quarantining because someone close to them was suspected of having the illness, according to the survey.

Only 1.5% were due to confirmed coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, a separate survey by Asana has found that three in five UK workers are no longer sticking to the traditional nine to five. A third are working earlier in the morning and 27% working later in the evening while 60% of workers are working from their kitchen table, their sofa or even their bed.

• Vote  
• 0
• 0
• You already voted!