THERE were more than 1,000 fewer workers in Windsor and Maidenhead on furlough in March, as lockdown restrictions we soon to be eased.

The latest statistics – which reveal the situation before pubs and non-essential shops opened for the first time in months – show thousands of people locally were still on the income support scheme as of March 31.

HM Revenue and Customs data shows around 10,300 jobs held by workers living in Windsor and Maidenhead were furloughed then.

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That was 1,300 fewer than the 11,600 furloughed at the end of February, and lower than 11,800 in January.

Women in Windsor and Maidenhead were more likely to be furloughed than men, with a take-up rate of 16 per cent, compared to 14 per cent.

By the end of March, roughly 25,700 jobs had been supported by the scheme at any point since its inception, the figures show.

Stock closure image.

Stock closure image.

Jobs at firms which are unable to operate or have no work for their employees during the pandemic are eligible for furlough pay from the Government – with workers currently getting 80 per cent of their wages, up to £2,500 per month.

The scheme has been extended until the end of September – beyond the planned reopening of all areas of the economy on June 21 – and employers will have to pay a higher contribution from July.

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Across the UK, 4.2 million jobs were furloughed as of March 31, down from 4.7 million a month before.

The latest figures do not cover the further easing of lockdown in April, which saw customers flood back to salons, gyms, pub gardens and non-essential shops across the UK.

Around 2,450 hospitality jobs held by workers in Windsor and Maidenhead were furloughed as of March 31 – 24 per cent of all jobs.

That was the largest proportion of all sectors, followed by wholesale and retail, and motor vehicle repair services (15 per cent).

Across the UK, 1.1 million jobs in the accommodation and food services sector were furloughed in March.