From this month, employers will have to start contributing 20% of wages towards employees on the furlough scheme, in anticipation of the scheme ending in September. The furlough scheme has been a lifeline for millions of workers throughout the pandemic.

But we’ve released new research this week which found that there are over 650,000 jobs likely to still need the scheme in September. This means that hundreds of thousands of people could be pushed into unemployment unless the government extends the furlough scheme. You can read this vital research here.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, Chief Executive, NEF