The areas in Sheffield where the most workers have been furloughed

Coronavirus Job Retention statistics, which estimate the number and value of claims made up to 30 June, reveal the number of people on furlough in the city is highest in the Sheffield South East constituency.

No fewer than 12,600 workers there have been placed on furlough, which is 100 more than the next highest constituency – Sheffield Central. A further 12,400 workers in the Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituency have been placed on furlough since the scheme began.

In Sheffield Heeley, 11,600 people have been furloughed, while 8,600 people have also been placed onto the scheme in the Sheffield Hallam constituency.

Clive Betts, Labour MP for Sheffield South East, said: "It’s pretty similar to the other areas. The worry is a genuine worry about unemployment rising and how we help people through that.

“The furlough scheme was excellent in helping people get through what’s been an incredibly difficult period. The concerns are what will be when it winds down.”

He added: "There are certain sections of work like leisure and hospitality where people aren’t going to get back to work and we think the Government ought to extend the scheme for people in those areas.”

His comments come as economists predict mass unemployment when the Government's furlough support scheme for workers ends in October, with vacancies also at record lows.

Samuel Tombs from Pantheon Macroeconomics said: "The unemployment rate will surge over the coming months as people re-engage with the labour market.

"Their chances of finding a new job look slim, given that job vacancies were down 59 per cent year-over-year in June. What's more, employment remains likely to fall during the autumn, when firms will have to start to contribute to the wages of workers that remain furloughed."

James Smith, ING developed markets economist, added: "The gradual unwinding of the job retention scheme over the summer is being seen as a potential catalyst for firms to begin making changes, and the jury is out on how far the new government bonus scheme incentivising firms to bring furloughed workers back will cushion the blow."