Furlough ends with more than 30,000 people in Birmingham set to lose payments

The government’s furlough scheme has ended with 30,420 in Birmingham set to lose payments.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s scheme has helped pay the wages of 11.6 million workers across the country since its inception last year.

Rishi Sunak is due to announce a new programme of grants to help poorer households cope over the winter months -however, it remains a time of uncertainty for many who were signed up to the furlough scheme as it ended.

Data released by the government detailed the number of people still claiming money on furlough across the country as of July 31, 2021.

On that date, across Birmingham, 30,420 people were reliant on the furlough scheme.

Which industries in Birmingham had workers signed up to the furlough scheme as it ended?

The accommodation and food services sector accounts for the highest number of employees who were still on the furlough scheme in Birmingham - with 5,250 still claiming furlough pay.

The manufacturing industry is the second hardest hit, with 4,750 still on furlough.

Wholesale and retail is in third where 4, 520 people were still on the scheme.

The arts and entertainment industry had 1,280 people still registered in the construction industry.

How is Sandwell affected?

Across the county, many industries are also still reliant on the scheme.

In Sandwell, 8,410 workers were still on furlough as of July 31.

The industry most affected in the borough was the manufacturing industry, with 1,760 still reliant on the scheme.

Wholesale and retail and accommodation and food services were the second hardest hit, with 1,300 reliant on furlough in each industry.

The administrative support services had 740 people still registered.

How is Solihull affected?

The picture is similar In Solihull, where 6,320 were still registered to the scheme, with the manufacturing industry also hardest hit with more than 1,000 workers still on furlough.

The accommodation and food services was the second hardest hit industry with 780 people still on furlough, and wholesale and retail was third with 750 workers still reliant on the scheme.