THE number of workers in the city on furlough fell by 1,200 in a month, according to the latest figures.

A total of 5,300 people in Worcester were signed up to the Government’s job retention scheme at the end of April - down from 6,500 in March.

Data from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs showed around 11 per cent of people in the city eligible for payments were using the scheme.

The number of workers in Worcestershire on furlough fell by 7,000 between March and April, partly due to the reopening of pubs and restaurant for outdoor dining as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The reintroduction of indoor dining in May is not reflected in the latest figures.

The scheme, which pays up to 80 per cent of salaries to those who are unable to work due to lockdown, has given a total of 11.2 million employees cash since the start of the pandemic.

Of the people on furlough in Worcester in April, 1,880 workers were in the information and communications sector, 1,280 people were in transportation and storage and 400 construction workers were still on furlough.

Figures showed 480 education workers, 310 health and social workers and 230 people in the arts and entertainment sector were claiming furlough.

On top of that, 160 retail workers were still furloughed, 80 manufacturing workers and 170 hotel and food service staff in Worcester were also furloughed.

Elsewhere in the county, 4,700 people in Bromsgrove were furloughed - down by 1,100 - and 800 fewer people were on furlough in Malvern Hills dropping from 4,300 to 3,500.

A total of 4,300 people were on furlough in Redditch at the end of April - dropping from 5,100 in March.

As many as 6,300 people were on furlough in April in Wychavon, which includes Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich, falling from 8,000 in March.

In Wyre Forest, 4,800 people were on furlough at the end of April - falling from 6,000 in a month.

Of the people on furlough in Worcestershire, 8,440 worked in the hotel and restaurant industry, 3,360 worked in manufacturing and 2,600 worked in the arts and entertainment industry.

HMRC figures also showed 1,600 people on furlough worked in the construction undustry and 1,170 health and social workers were also on furlough.