Revealed: This is how many people in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been furloughed

More than 600,000 people across Scotland have been furloughed and put on the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Since the end of May, more than 128,900 people in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been put on the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), new figures reveal.

The CJRS and SEISS initiatives were launched on April 20 by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to prevent a wave of mass unemployment, amid the temporary closure of tens of thousands of businesses.

Furloughed staff on the CJRS scheme are paid 80 per cent of their salary - which was capped at £2,500 per month.

In Edinburgh, 58,400 people have been furloughed on the job retention scheme, while a further 14,200 have received support under SEISS to the tune of £41,200,000. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

In Edinburgh, 58,400 people have been furloughed on the job retention scheme, while a further 14,200 have received support under SEISS to the tune of £41,200,000.

Across the Lothians, businesses have furloughed 103,800 jobs since the start of the job retention scheme, while 25,100 self-employed people received grants worth a total of £73.6 million as part of SEISS.

While CJRS will run until the end of October, Mr Sunak announced an extension to SEISS late last month, allowing eligible people to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,750.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “The UK Government is doing everything we can to protect jobs and businesses in Scotland and across the UK during the crisis.

“Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “So far, nearly 800,000 jobs across Scotland have been saved by direct UK Government coronavirus support.

“Through the job retention scheme 628,200 Scottish jobs have been furloughed, and the UK Government has spent £425 million on supporting 146,000 self-employed people in Scotland.

“People and businesses in Scotland have also benefited from UK-wide schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal Credit. In addition, the Scottish Government has been allocated an extra £3.8 billion in coronavirus funding through the Barnett Formula.

“The UK Government is doing whatever it takes to get Scotland, and the whole of the UK, through the coronavirus pandemic and ensure our economy can get back on track.

“This unprecedented package of UK Government support is protecting Scottish jobs and businesses, and will ensure that Scotland’s economy can recover for the future.”

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