// Furlough numbers have fallen to their lowest this year
// Around 1.3 million fewer employees have accessed the scheme in March and April
// HMRC claims the plan for jobs is working to “protect and create jobs” across the UK,
The Treasury has said its plan to protect jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic “is working” following a drop in furlough numbers.
According to official figures, furlough numbers have fallen to their lowest levels this year.
Around 1.3 million fewer employees have accessed the scheme in March and April, bringing the total number of furloughed people to 3.4 million.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak to support small businesses with Help to Grow scheme
HMRC revealed since the start of the pandemic, over 11.5 million employees and 1.3 million employers have benefited from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that these figures “how the scheme is naturally winding down as people get back to work and take advantage of the opportunities out there in the jobs market.
“We’ll continue to support those who need it through to September but I am hopeful that we’ll see more people moving back in to work as we continue on the road to recovery,” he added.
Earlier this year, Sunak announced the furlough scheme until the end of September, alongside the launch of the kickstart scheme.
HMRC claims the plan for jobs is working to “protect and create jobs” across the UK, as data revealed last month showed that the number of payrolled employees increased to 100,000 in April.
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