More than 25,000 hospitality workers still furloughed

More than 25,000 hospitality workers still furloughed

More than 25,000 hospitality workers in Northern Ireland were still on furlough at the end of February, latest figures from HMRC show.

In total the number of employees registered under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme sat at 106,500 on February 28.

HMRC said the figure is provisional, with the expectation that the true figure could be four per cent higher, once all late claims are processed, which would take the Northern Ireland total above 110,000.

A total of 25,250 jobs were furloughed across the hospitality sector as of February 28, with another 26,730 in retail on furlough.

Confirmation from Chancellor Rishi Sunak that the furlough scheme would be extended until the end of September was welcomed as a vital lifeline but industry leaders warned they needed more, including an indication of when they might reopen.

Speaking on the anniversary of the first lockdown, Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neill, above, said: “ Business owners have spent tens of thousands of pounds in making their businesses Covid secure environments – some of the highest standards in the world.

“Yes, there have been a range of financial support packages put in place and we are really grateful, but they can never cover the costs of keeping buildings locked shut, leaving the individual businesses to find millions on pounds to stay afloat – resulting in spiralling levels of debt across the industry.

“We may all be in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat. With next to no engagement since December, questions must be asked. Why does the health department not want to publish the criteria that must be met to allow us to reopen?”