UK Government supports over 936,000 jobs across Scotland

The latest figures for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme show over 936,000 jobs across Scotland have been supported by the UK Government’s unprecedented package of coronavirus support.

From the beginning of March 2020 to the end of July 2020, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has furloughed a total of 779,500 Scottish workers. This is an increase of 43,000 jobs since the end of June.

The UK Government has also provided £459 million to support 157,000 self-employed people in Scotland through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Commenting on the figures, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

The UK Government is now supporting more than 930,000 jobs in Scotland, a third of the workforce.

Our pioneering furlough and self-employed schemes are part of an unprecedented package to help businesses and individuals across Scotland during the pandemic. On top of these vital initiatives, we loaned more than £2.3 billion to 65,000 Scottish businesses, deferred VAT bills, and increased support to individuals through Universal Credit. In addition, we have allocated to the Scottish Government an extra £6.5 billion of direct funding.

We are focused on getting our economy back on track with innovative and targeted support. We have cut VAT to help restart tourism businesses, our ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme is boosting hospitality businesses, the new £1k job retention bonus will help companies retain staff, and our £2 billion Kickstart scheme to create thousands of high quality jobs for young people.

There are, undoubtedly, very real economic challenges ahead. But I am clear that the UK Government will continue to do everything possible to support people across the whole of the United Kingdom.