More than 15,000 workers in Harrogate and Knaresborough get furlough support as end of scheme edges closer

More than 15,000 workers in Harrogate and Knaresborough who are unable to do their job because of the coronavirus outbreak have had their wages paid by the government, figures show.
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The furlough scheme - due to end in October - has covered up to 80 per cent of wages for a total of 15,200 people in the area.

It is according to government figures released by MP Andrew Jones which also show almost £51m in bounce back loans has been paid out to businesses in the area.

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A further £28m of grants was also given to businesses, with almost £12m going to the self-employed.

The furlough scheme has covered up to 80 per cent of wages for a total of 15,200 people in Harrogate and Knaresborough.The furlough scheme has covered up to 80 per cent of wages for a total of 15,200 people in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
The furlough scheme has covered up to 80 per cent of wages for a total of 15,200 people in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

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Mr Jones commented: “This year has been hugely challenging for people and businesses locally and these latest figures demonstrate the scale of support that the government has put in place to support lives and local livelihoods.

“Of course not every business and every job has survived to this point and there will be more pain before we are clear of covid-19. That is a source of huge regret to me and to our community.

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"The scale of the support as demonstrated in these figures prevented a total collapse of our local and national economy and, while there are challenges ahead, we have avoided that ultimate calamity.”

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Nationally, more than £160bn has been provided as part of the government’s economic response to coronavirus, but it has faced some criticism over its decision to end the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, to give furlough its official title, on 31 October.

The Bank of England, however, has backed the move, saying workers should be helped to ''move forward'' and not kept in unproductive jobs.

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It comes as some businesses face putting workers back on furlough after plans to ease the lockdown were halted.

Mr Jones said the coronavirus crisis "isn’t by any means over yet".

"To ensure our area doesn’t go into lockdown again we need to wash our hands, cover our face and give others space", he said.

"If we don’t we may see measures re-introduced as they have been in areas not too far away. That will do a second wave of damage to businesses."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter