How many people in Chelmsford are still on furlough?
Thousands fewer workers in Chelmsford were on furlough in April, as coronavirus restrictions started easing across the UK. Many pub, restaurant and shop workers returned to their roles that month as outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail opened for the first time since December. However, with restrictions still in place, businesses in other sectors continue to be hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. HM Revenue and Customs figures show that 8,600 jobs held by workers living in Chelmsford were furloughed in April. That was 2,400 fewer than the 11,000 furloughed at the end of March. The figures also show that in April in Chelmsford:  Furloughed jobs in the retail sector dropped by 680, to 1,460  In the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors, 130 fewer jobs were supported by the scheme, however 540 were still furloughed in April  The number of hospitality jobs furloughed fell by 330, to 1,800  Through the scheme, the Government pays 80% of a workers wages, up to 2,500 per month, if they havent been able to work due to the impact of the pandemic. However, employers will pay a larger contribution from July. Across the UK, the total number of jobs furloughed fell by 900,000 during April to 3.4 million at the end of the month, the figures show. Dan Tomlinson, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, which focuses on living standards, said the drop in the number of people on furlough was "encouraging". He added that it is an indicator that the labour market  as well as the wider economy  is recovering quickly. But with around one in six young workers still on furlough at the end of April, todays figures are a stark reminder of the risk of rising unemployment when the furlough scheme ends," he said. "The Government must do all it can to ensure those workers find work as quickly as possible.  Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: Well continue to support those who need it through to September but I am hopeful that well see more people moving back into work as we continue on the road to recovery.  At a recent four-nation coronavirus recovery summit, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called for the UK Government to extend the furlough scheme beyond September. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the Government was open-minded about the possibility of this and that the furlough scheme had been a huge success. Separate HMRC figures show 7,800 self-employed workers in Chelmsford have received Government cash since the self-employment income support scheme started.The total value of the claims made across the area stood at 74.1 million by May 9.