Coronavirus: More than 210,000 NI workers are on furlough

The scheme announced by the Chancellor at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March as part of a package of measures to support jobs, businesses and individuals affected by the outbreak.

The scheme allows companies to keep staff at home with the government paying 80% of normal wages up to a maximum of £2,500 a month during the coronavirus pandemic.

The furlough was originally scheduled to end in June but has been extended until October.

Today’s figures show 211,700 jobs in Northern Ireland have been furloughed up to the end of March, across a wide range of sectors including retail, agriculture and construction.

Over 36,000 people have been furloughed in Belfast alone.

The figures show that the highest number of employees furloughed in the local government districts outside of Belfast are Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (24,300), Newry, Mourne and Down (21,300) and Mid Ulster (20,300).

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “The UK Government is doing everything we can to, protect jobs and businesses in Northern Ireland and across the UK during the crisis.

“Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said: “I am proud that the UK Government has supported the people of Northern Ireland by providing £198 million of vital support through the 69,000 claims made to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and by safeguarding 211,700 jobs via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

“The UK Government’s pledge to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of October, as well as giving self-employed people the opportunity to claim a second Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant in August, shows its continuing determination to do everything possible to support businesses in Northern Ireland.”

Nationally, employers in the wholesale and retail sectors have furloughed the highest number of employers, covering 1.6 million jobs, followed by accommodation and food service employers furloughing 1.4 million.