News story

Figures show UK Government supporting incomes across all nations during coronavirus

The UK Government’s unprecedented package of coronavirus support is protecting incomes across every nation of the United Kingdom, according to statistics published today (Thursday 11 June).

• From: HM Treasury
• Published: 11 June 2020

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

• new figures highlight how UK Government support is protecting jobs and helping individuals across all four nations of UK
• statistics for Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme show uptake of support schemes across the UK
• new figures also reveal size and sector of businesses furloughing their staff

The new figures show the uptake of Coronavirus Jobs Retention (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Schemes (SEISS) across the UK’s regions and nations.

Under the CJRS, up until the 31 May more than 6.4 million jobs were furloughed in England, with more than 628,000 jobs furloughed in Scotland, 316,500 in Wales and nearly 212,000 in Northern Ireland.

Under the SEISS, self-employed individuals in Scotland have made 146,000 claims totalling £425 million; 102,000 claims for £273 million made in Wales; 69,000 claims for £198 million in Northern Ireland. From just over 2 million claims in England, the total is nearly £6 billion.

Across the whole of the UK, 70% of those potentially eligible for support through the self-employment scheme made a claim, with the average value of claim amounting to £2,900.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

Our unprecedented coronavirus support schemes are protecting millions of vital jobs and businesses across the whole of the United Kingdom - and will help ensure we recover from this outbreak as swiftly as possible.

We have extended both schemes so they will continue to provide measured support across the UK as we start to reopen the economy.

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.

The CJRS scheme will continue to support jobs until the end of October, with flexible part-time furloughing beginning in July to support businesses as the economy is carefully reopened.

The SEISS scheme has also been extended with those eligible able to claim a second and final grant in August.

The two schemes are part of a comprehensive economic support package for individuals and businesses including loans, grants, income tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, and mortgage holidays.

Further information

1. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Official statistics will be updated every month and can be found here.

2. More information about the CJRS can be found here.

3. More information about the SEISS can be found here.

4. Data provided in this news release is to midnight on 31 May 2020. New information was published on 9 June 2020 showing the total number of claims by scheme and value of claims made by midnight on 7 June 2020.

Published 11 June 2020