Thousands more workers in Cumbria 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 was a sign of the country getting back to business.

The latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs show 9,200 jobs held by workers living in Cumbria were furloughed as of July 31 – 4 per cent of all that were eligible.

That was 2,200 fewer than the 11,400 furloughed at the end of June.

It was also down by more than three-quarters compared to the 42,600 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 Cumbria, people aged between 50 and 54 made up the highest proportion of those on furlough with 1,170 (13 per cent) on the scheme.

Meanwhile, people aged between 25 and 29 accounted for the smallest proportion – 730 (eight per cent).