Which industry is paying the biggest monthly furlough wage bill?

June 25, 2020

The latest research by leading property recruitment specialist, Rayner Personnel, has looked at which industry is currently relying on the Government furlough scheme the most and what this equates to as a monthly wage cost.

Across all UK industries, 30% of the nation’s workforce is on furlough. That’s nearly 11 million people at a cost of £26.7bn per month.

The hardest-hit has been the Accommodation and Food Service Activities industry. The industry has the highest number of workers on furlough at 80%, more than two million workers, with a gross monthly furlough wage bill of over £5bn.

In terms of the sheer percentage of the workforce on furlough, the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industry has also seen a huge number of employees furloughed (78%).

This then drops considerably to the next highest, with 37% of Construction industry workers on furlough. The Transport and Storage industry (35%) and the Administrative and Support Service Activities industry (34%) have also seen a high percentage of the total workforce furloughed.

However, in terms of the total monthly cost of the furloughed workforce, the Wholesale and Retail: Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles is the industry with the second-highest gross wage bill. The sector is currently paying out £2.9bn a month in furloughed wages, with the Administrative and Support Service Activities industry, Construction and the Arts Entertainment and Recreation sectors also seeing a monthly furlough cost exceeding £2bn a month.

While the Real Estate sector has seen the number of workers furloughed hit 28%, the monthly wage packet for these workers is just £460,000 per month. This is the second-lowest of all industries, with just the Water Supply Sewerage Waste Management And Remediation Activities industry coming in lower.

Industry
Percentage of workforce of furlough
Total number of workforce on furlough
Monthly cost at furlough limit – gross £2,500
Accommodation And Food Service Activities
80%
2,035,728
£5,089,320,000
Wholesale And Retail Trade; Repair Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles
24%
1,177,653
£2,944,132,500
Administrative And Support Service Activities
34%
1,019,424
£2,548,560,000
Construction
37%
833,295
£2,083,237,500
Arts Entertainment And Recreation
78%
802,370
£2,005,925,000
Manufacturing
26%
709,496
£1,773,740,000
Transportation And Storage
35%
630,784
£1,576,960,000
Professional Scientific And Technical Activities
15%
486,328
£1,215,820,000
Human Health And Social Work Activities
8%
376,320
£940,800,000
Education
11%
323,948
£809,870,000
Information And Communication
13%
207,879
£519,697,500
Real Estate Activities
28%
184,140
£460,350,000
Water Supply Sewerage Waste Management And Remediation Activities
11%
26,442
£66,105,000
All Industries
30%
10,677,936
£26,694,840,000
Data on the percentage of furloughed employees and the number of employees per industry from the Office for National Statistics.

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

How to Become an Estate Agent with No Experience

Breaking into the property industry can seem intimidating – especially if you’ve never worked in it before. But the good news? You don’t need years of experience or fancy qualifications to start a career as an estate agent in the UK. In fact, many successful estate agents started with no background in property at all.…
Read More →
buying at auction uk
Estate Agent Talk

9 Advantages of Selling Your House by Auction

Selling your house by auction might seem like a daunting prospect, but it comes with numerous advantages that can make it a highly attractive option. While the traditional method of selling through an estate agent has its place, auctions are increasingly becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking for a swift and reliable sale. Here…
Read More →
Breaking News

Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG

With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice. LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware…
Read More →
Home and Living

Perfume Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Fragrances Fresh

Perfumes are sensitive compositions that can be significantly affected by how they are stored. Proper storage ensures that your favorite fragrances stay fresh and maintain their intended scent profile. In this article, we’ll explore practical, fun, and effective tips to help you preserve your perfumes in perfect condition. Understanding the Sensitivity of Perfumes Perfumes are…
Read More →
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning. The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More →