Post-furlough job losses worse among young and ethnic minorities

Resolution Foundation’s latest survey of 6, 000 adults found 19 per cent of 18-24-year-olds who were furloughed during lockdown were unemployed in September.

For Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic workers the figure was 22 per cent compared to 9 per cent for the general population. The Treasury said its wage support schemes had helped to protect millions of jobs, as the government’s Job Retention Scheme initially covered up to 80 per cent of an individual’s wages if they were placed on furlough and unable to work.  Chancellor Rishi Sunak said, “ Our wage support schemes, loans, and other measures have helped protect millions of jobs across the country through this crisis”.

 

Only 43 per cent of those who had lost their jobs since March had found new work by September. For young people, the figure fell to 33 per cent and for those in hard-hit sectors like hospitality and leisure, it was 36 per cent.