The number of workers on the payroll in the UK fell by 649,000 between March and June as lockdown measures took their toll on the economy, official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed.
In June, 649,000 fewer people were in paid employment when compared with March and 74,000 fewer when compared with May 2020. The ONS said lockdown had markedly "weakened" the labour market. The number of people claiming work-related benefits, including the unemployed, was 2.6 million for the period, according to the statistics released this morning (16 July). However, the large numbers of people placed on the government's furlough scheme mean the figures are lower than they could be or will be in the future. The Job Retention Scheme is being gradually tapered and will end in October. ...
To continue reading this article...
Join Professional Adviser for free
Signup and gain exclusive members-only insights
- Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
- Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
- Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
- Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
- Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
- Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes
