The number of employees who are covered by the Government's furlough scheme has passed 8.4 million, according to the Treasury.

That means 30% of the UK's 28m employees were covered by furlough scheme on 24 May 2020.

The scheme, formally known as the coronavirus job retention scheme, allows workers to receive 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500.

More than a million employers had taken advantage of the scheme as of 24 May 2020, claiming subsidies worth £15 billion.

An income support scheme for the self-employed saw 2.3m workers claim £6.4bn in state support.

That represents 46% of the UK's entire self-employed population, which passed 5m for the first time back in January 2020.

The self-employed income support scheme is a grant paid out in a single lump sum covering three months and amounting to 80% of average profit.

The furlough scheme has been extended until 31 October 2020, while an extension to the self-employed scheme has yet to be announced.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:

"Our plan to support businesses and individuals is one of the most comprehensive in the world.

"As these figures show, we are currently supporting millions of workers and businesses through these tough times so we can recover as quickly as possible."

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