Furlough wind-down: Number of workers furloughed in Cheshire East and West falls again

The latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs show 7,900 jobs held by workers living in Cheshire West and Chester were furloughed as of July 31 – five per cent of all that were eligible.

That was 2,400 fewer than the 10,300 furloughed at the end of June.

It was also down by more than two-thirds compared to the 26,700 on the scheme during the 2021 peak in January.

In Cheshire East, 9,200 jobs were furloughed as of July 31 – five per cent of all that were eligible.

That was 1,800 fewer than the 11,000 furloughed at the end of June.

It was also down by nearly two-thirds compared to the 26,500 on the scheme during the 2021 peak.

An age breakdown for those on furlough across local authority areas has also been published for the first time.

In Cheshire West and Chester, people aged between 50 and 54 made up the highest proportion of those on furlough with 1,020 (13 per cent) on the scheme.

Meanwhile, people aged 65 and over accounted for the smallest proportion – 470 (six per cent).

This was also the case in Cheshire East, with people aged between 50 and 54 making up the highest proportion of those on furlough with 1,160 (13 per cent) on the scheme.

Meanwhile, people aged 65 and over accounted for the smallest proportion – 660 (seven per cent).

Following the reopening of indoor hospitality in May, the accommodation and food services sector continued to see the highest numbers of UK workers coming off furlough in July.

In Cheshire West and Chester, it was the manufacturing sector, with the number of furloughed employees falling by 780.

It was followed by the hospitality sector which saw 490 people come off the scheme.

For Cheshire East, it was the accommodation and food services sector, with the number of furloughed hospitality employees falling by 410.

It was followed by the wholesale and retail sector which saw 330 people come off the scheme.