The number of people on payrolls in the UK has dipped dramatically during lockdown, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The data shows that 649,000 members of staff left their roles between March and June – a period when the coronavirus pandemic was at its height in Britain.
Estimates also suggested that 1.9 per cent less people appeared on payrolls in June 2020 compared to this time last year.
The number of hours worked also dropped at the fastest pace on record.
New analysis shows that the fall in payroll employees between May and June 2020 was mainly due to fewer people moving into payrolled employment These are experimental monthly estimates of paid employees from @HMRCgovuk PAYE Real Time Information data https://t.co/2WECfEiWIM
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 16, 2020
Commenting on the results, Deputy National Statistician for Economic Statistics, Jonathan Athow, stated: “As the pandemic took hold, the labour market weakened markedly, but that rate of decline slowed into June, though this is before recent reports of job losses.
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“The Labour Force Survey is showing only a small fall in employment, but shows a large number of people who report working no hours and getting no pay.
“Both tax and survey data also show the number of new starters has fallen sharply.”
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Mr. Athow continued: “There are now far more out-of-work people who are not looking for a job than before the pandemic.
“Pay is now falling on most measures, with many furloughed workers not having their wages topped up by their employers.”
76.4% of people aged 16 to 64 were in paid work in March to May 2020. The unemployment rate was 3.9% , and the 16-64 economic inactivity rate (those who were neither working nor looking for work) was 20.4% https://t.co/X0gj4iKmeApic.twitter.com/1AXvNjAxzF
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 16, 2020
There are concerns the UK economy will be hit hardest when the government furlough scheme ends in autumn.
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9.4 million are currently still getting salary support from Rishi Sunak’s job retention plan.
Economists are predicting that unemployment will continue to rise sharply – perhaps even hitting 4 million by the end of 2020.
According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), over 30 per cent of businesses are putting strategies in place to trim staff numbers during the next three months.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
The Manc -
16th July 2020 
