THOUSANDS more workers in Somerset came off furlough in July – the first month employers had to make a contribution to salaries under the scheme, figures reveal.

But with 1.6 million UK workers still on furlough at the end of July, think tank the Resolution Foundation expects "a significant number" to lose their jobs when the Government programme ends this month.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the latest figure – a 340,000 reduction from June 30 and the lowest since the start of the pandemic – was a sign of the country getting back to business.

The latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs show 10,000 jobs held by workers living in Somerset were furloughed as of July 31 – 4% of all that were eligible.

That was 2,400 fewer than the 12,400 furloughed at the end of June.

It was also down by three-quarters compared to the 38,200 on the scheme during the 2021 peak in January.

An age breakdown for those on furlough across local authority areas has also been published for the first time.

In Somerset, people aged between 50 and 54 made up the highest proportion of those on furlough with 1,310 (13%) on the scheme.

Meanwhile, people aged between 25 and 29 accounted for the smallest proportion – 850 (9%).

In Sedgemoor, 2,100 jobs held by workers in the district were furloughed as of July 31 – 4% of all that were eligible.

That was 600 fewer than the 2,700 furloughed at the end of June.

It was also down by three-quarters compared to the 8,000 on the scheme during the 2021 peak in January.

An age breakdown for those on furlough across local authority areas has also been published for the first time.

In Sedgemoor, people aged between 50 and 54 made up the highest proportion of those on furlough with 270 (13%) on the scheme.

Meanwhile, people aged between 30 and 34 accounted for the smallest proportion – 160 (8%).

July was the first month that employers had to pay 10% of the salaries of their furloughed workers, giving them an incentive to bring staff back, or end their employment.

Employer contributions rose to 20% in August and September, and the scheme is due to finish at the end of this month.

HMRC said the furlough scheme had protected nearly 12 million jobs since it began 18 months ago.

But the Resolution Foundation said a slowing down in the number of employees coming off the scheme in July meant there was a risk of a fresh rise in unemployment in the autumn.

The number of people moved off furlough in July was lower than the 550,000 fall seen the month before.

Charlie McCurdy, economist at the think tank, said: "The number of people coming off furlough over the summer has slowed to a trickle, as some firms and sectors struggle to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity.

“As a result, up to a million employees could still be on furlough when the scheme closes at the end of this month.

“While we expect most of these staff to return to their previous roles, a significant number will not."

Following the reopening of indoor hospitality in May, the accommodation and food services sector continued to see the highest numbers of UK workers coming off furlough in July.

This was also the case in Somerset, with the number of furloughed hospitality employees falling by 820.

It was followed by the wholesale and retail sector which saw 390 people come off the scheme.

The Government said it was "doubling down" on its Plan for Jobs programme, aimed at providing skills and opportunities for people looking for work, ahead of the end of the furlough scheme.

Mr Sunak said: "It’s fantastic to see furlough levels at their lowest since the start of the pandemic with young people in particular getting back to work and kickstarting their careers as the UK gets back to business."