The take up of support through the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retentions Scheme is the highest across the UK with 70% of eligible employees furloughed in Northern Ireland, 57% in England and 59% across the UK as a whole.

According to the data, UK construction firms have claimed more than £2.6 billion through the scheme with over 752,000 employees furloughed, with 75% of employers (171,400) in the sector making use of the scheme.

Only employers responsible for wholesale, retail and repair of motor vehicles (£5.3bn), accommodation and food services (£4.1bn) and manufacturing (£3.3bn) have claimed more.

Meanwhile, those working in construction have also made the most claims through the self-employment income support scheme (SEISS). Around 867,000 construction workers received pay-outs, representing an 81% take-up rate. Pay-outs to the self-employed total just over £3bn with the average claim at £3,500.

London has the highest proportion, with 39% of claims being from those working in construction and Scotland has the lowest with 26%.

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