UK employment numbers suffer biggest fall for ten years as COVID continues to hit economy
Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the UK economy - with national employment falling by 220,000 between April and June; the biggest decrease seen since the financial crisis in 2009.
Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the UK economy – with national employment falling by 220,000 between April and June; the biggest quarterly decrease seen since the financial crisis of 2009.
According to The Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of employees on payrolls around the country is down by around 730,000 from early Spring.
The ONS also estimated that 7.5 million were temporarily away from work in June, with around three million of those absent for three months or even longer.
Deepening fears is the fact that Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s furlough scheme – which was designed to support workers with 80% pay during the height of the pandemic – is set to end in October.
These latest reports will likely see more calls for the programme to be extended further.
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The number of people currently on the British furlough scheme – 9.6 million according to Statista – may also be masking the true extent of unemployment in the country.
Those who have been most adversely affected by the financial crisis so far are younger and older people – as well as those working in low-paying roles.
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Jonathan Athow, Deputy National Statistician at the ONS, said: “The groups of people most affected are younger workers, 24 and under, or older workers and those in more routine or less skilled jobs.
“This is concerning, as it’s harder for these groups to find a new job or get into a job as easily as other workers.”
A number of high-profile businesses across the UK have been forced to make wide-scale redundancies due to the fallout from the global pandemic.
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The travel industry has been hit particularly hard – with British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet all axing jobs.
The UK high street has also suffered, with the likes of M&S, NEXT, John Lewis, Topshop & Dorothy Perkins cutting staff numbers.
Restaurant groups have had to let team members go, too, with the likes of Upper Crust and and Pret slashing their payroll by thousands.
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
11th August 2020 
