Tens of thousands of workers in Hertfordshire are still on furlough ahead of the end of the scheme next month, new data has revealed.

The Government’s latest report showed more than 37,000 people in the county were still being supported at the end of June.

Last month the Government released its latest report into the number of workers still being supported by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme up until June 30, 2021 with over 1.8 million people in the UK still enrolled on the scheme.

These figures do not include people who have returned to work since most of the final legal restrictions were eased on July 19. However, it shows that with the scheme set to end at the end of next month, tens of thousands of people in Hertfordshire could be affected.

The Government is attempting to ease businesses off the scheme ahead of its scheme closure on September 30.

Changes made on August 1 mean the state will now pay a maximum of 60 per cent of an employee’s wage, with the employer expected to contribute 20 per cent of their staff’s usual wage. This is down from the Government paying 70 per cent in July, and 80 per cent for much of the past year.

The figures revealed that 37,200 people in Hertfordshire were on furlough on June 30 (7 per cent of those eligible) – down from 46,800 claims (9 per cent) on May 31.

The data is provisional up to claims made prior to July 14, and may be revised based on late claims or amendments.

The highest rate of claims in the county were reported in Hertsmere, where 9 per cent of workers are still on furlough - a total of around 4,200 people.

Of the claims in Hertfordshire, most claims come from the wholesale and retail and repair of motor vehicles sector (5,440 employees), followed by accommodation and food services (5,200), and administrative and support services (4,120).

How does each district compare?

Broxbourne – 3,500 employees on furlough (8 per cent)

Dacorum – 4,800 employees on furlough (7 per cent)

East Hertfordshire – 5,300 employees on furlough (8 per cent)

Hertsmere – 4,200 employees on furlough (9 per cent)

North Hertfordshire – 3,500 employees on furlough (6 per cent)

St Albans – 4,000 employees on furlough (6 per cent)

Stevenage – 2,100 employees on furlough (5 per cent)

Three Rivers – 3,100 employees on furlough (7 per cent)

Watford – 3,400 employees on furlough (7 per cent)

Welwyn Hatfield – 3,500 employees on furlough (6 per cent)

In total, 205,700 employees in Hertfordshire have been supported by the scheme, with 11.6 million claims nationally. The current total of claims is estimated to be worth £67.4 billion.