THOUSANDS fewer workers in Oxfordshire were on furlough in April, as Covid-19 restrictions started easing across the UK.

Many pub, restaurant and shop workers returned to their roles that month as outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail opened for the first time since December.

However, with restrictions still in place, businesses in other sectors continue to be hit hard by the effects of the virus.

HM Revenue and Customs figures revealed that 33,900 jobs held by workers living in Oxfordshire were furloughed in April.

That was 10,400 fewer than the 44,300 furloughed at the end of March.

The figures also show that in April in Oxfordshire furloughed jobs in the retail sector dropped by 3,010, to 6,090.

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In the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors, 600 fewer jobs were supported by the scheme, however, 2,060 were still furloughed in April.

In addition, the number of hospitality jobs furloughed fell by 2,620, to 8,480.

Through the scheme, the Government pays 80 per cent of a worker’s wages, up to £2,500 per month, if they have not been able to work due to the impact of the pandemic.

However, employers will pay a larger contribution from July.

Across the UK, the total number of jobs furloughed fell by 900,000 during April to 3.4 million at the end of the month, the latest data show.

Dan Tomlinson, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, which focuses on living standards, said the drop in the number of people on furlough was 'encouraging'.

He added that it is an indicator that the labour market is recovering quickly.

He said: "But with around one in six young workers still on furlough at the end of April, today’s figures are a stark reminder of the risk of rising unemployment when the furlough scheme ends."