This is how many Mid Sussex workers came off furlough in July

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 – a 340,000 reduction from June 30 and the lowest since the start of the pandemic – was a sign of the country getting back to business.

The latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs show 4,100 jobs held by workers living in Mid Sussex were furloughed as of July 31 – 6 per cent of all that were eligible.

That was 700 fewer than the 4,800 furloughed at the end of June.

It was also down by nearly two-thirds compared to the 11,200 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 Mid Sussex, people aged between 45 and 49 made up the highest proportion of those on furlough with 550 (13 per cent) on the scheme.

Meanwhile, people aged 65 and over accounted for the smallest proportion – 270 (6 per cent).

July was the first month that employers had to pay 10 per cent of the salaries of their furloughed workers, giving them an incentive to bring staff back, or end their employment.

Employer contributions rose to 20% in August and September, and the scheme is due to finish at the end of this month.