UP TO a quarter of Scotland's workforce has been put on furlough since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

New figures published by HMRC reveal 628,200 jobs have been put on hold between April 20, when the government's Job Retention Scheme (JRS) launched, and May 31.

Around 70% of Scotland's self-employed workers have also made a claim under the self-employed income support scheme (SEISS), with the Treasury paying out £425m to 146,000 people.

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West Dunbartonshire had the highest percentage of self-employed claims, with 77% of people eligible to apply doing so.

In Falkirk, 76% of people eligible had applied for support, and three quarters of people in Midlothian and Renfrewshire did the same.

Glasgow, with the highest population, saw the largest number of furloughed jobs (74,400), followed by Edinburgh (58,400) and North Lanarkshire (41,800).

Remote and rural areas such as Orkney and the Western Isles had the fewest number of furloughed positions with 2400 and 2600 jobs put on hold respectively.

According to the office for national statistics, there were around 2.66m people in employment in Scotland by March this year. Although some people may have more than one job, roughly 23.5% of them will have been furloughed since April from at least one of their positions.

Westminster officials say that the jobs have been "saved" as a result of the furlough scheme, in contrast to experts predicting that a definite proportion of people currently on furlough will be out of work when the scheme winds up in October.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said the government was doing"whatever it takes" to help the Scottish economy through the pandemic.

He said: “So far, 774,000 jobs across Scotland have been saved by direct UK Government coronavirus support.

"Through the job retention scheme 628,000 Scottish jobs have been furloughed, and the UK Government has spent £425 million on supporting 146,000 self-employed people in Scotland.

"People and businesses in Scotland have also benefited from UK-wide schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal Credit. In addition, the Scottish Government has been allocated an additional £3.8 billion in coronavirus funding through the Barnett Formula.

“The UK Government is doing whatever it takes to get Scotland, and the whole of the UK, through the coronavirus pandemic and ensure our economy can get back on track. This unprecedented package of UK Government support is protecting Scottish jobs and businesses, and will ensure that Scotland’s economy can recover for the future.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the scheme would aid a quick recovery from the pandemic.

He added: “The UK Government is doing everything we can to protect jobs and businesses in Scotland and across the UK during the crisis.

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“Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.”

It comes after the OECD yesterday published data showing the UK was likely to bee the hardest hit economy of all developed nations in the world by the end of this year.

The economics body said the UK was on course to see a fall in GDP of 11.5%, and up to 14% if a second wave of coronavirus hit.

SNP shadow chancellor Alison Thewliss said the OECD's analysis, combined with the latest data on furloughed workers, was evidence that the Scottish Governemt should have more financial powers to enable economic recovery.

She also urged the Chancellor to commit to keeping the furlough scheme in Scotland for "as long as required to protect jobs".

The Glasgow Central MP said: "The support m measures brought forward by the UK government so far in response to the coronavirus pandemic have been welcome, but it’s clear there is much more that needs to be done if we are to ensure a strong economic recovery, and to protect thousands of jobs and businesses.

“With the OECD this week revealing that the UK will suffer the worst economic impact of any of the developed countries, it is vital that the Treasury strengthens and extends support schemes – rather than pushing ahead with its plans to restrict and strip back the Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

"It is also critical that the Treasury takes steps to prevent people from falling through the gaps - with a growing number of cases being raised of people missing out on support schemes, or facing increased difficulties in navigating processes and with claims complaints.

"The Chancellor must also clarify that the devolved nations will continue to have access to the furlough scheme for as long as is required to protect jobs and the economy, as well as setting out what his plans for the furlough scheme will mean for key sectors who are calling out for strengthened support."