New statistics revealed by HM Revenue and Customs show 5,000 fewer people in Northumberland were on furlough in May compared to in April.

With this week seeing the government starting to wind down the furlough scheme – a major part of the changes made by the country during the coronavirus pandemic – calls have been made that they’re stopping the scheme too quickly.

The released figures how a total of 9,600 workers were on furlough in Northumberland in May – down from 14,600 the month previously.

News of the lower number of furloughed staff coincided with the re-opening of parts of the indoor entertainment and hospitality industries back in May.

In the retail industry, the number of furloughed jobs dropped by nearly a half to a total of 1,160 while 390 jobs were no longer supported by the scheme in the entertainment and recreation industries in the county.

Nationally, the number of furloughed workers in May fell by a third to 2.4 million from the 3.6 million the month previously.

From last Thursday (July 1), Government support of the furlough scheme fell to 70% with companies now needing to pay 10% of furloughed staff salaries as a result, while that will drop to 60% in August ahead of the scheme ending altogether in September.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies believes the change will cost businesses an average of £322 in July to keep an employee earning £20,000 a year as part of their organisation.

This increase could potentially be too much of a change for some firms however, according to Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.

"The Government must make sure economic measures go hand in hand with public health measures and that our British businesses and high streets are not left out in the cold,” said Bridget Phillipson.

Concerns of the government moving too quickly was also echoed by British Chambers of Commerce director general Shevaun Haviland, who believed the furlough changes should be delayed until further restrictions are eased.

“The taper of government payments into the furlough scheme should be immediately deferred until we take the final step in the road map, and further grant support should be extended to the worst affected businesses,” he added.

The government have so far spent £66 billion on the furlough scheme since it was introduced as part of the first national lockdown back in March last year.

In response, a spokesperson for the govenemnt explained that they are still committed to helping businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

"We deliberately went long with our support to provide certainty to people and businesses over the summer, and that support, which is a substantial amount of funding, is continuing," said the spokesperson.