Furlough numbers in January have hit the highest level recorded since last July as the latest national lockdown wreaks havoc with businesses and workers.
Data published today by the Office for National Statistics showed that the percentage of businesses currently trading has remained relatively consistent in January at 71 per cent.
But there has been a spike in the percentage of the UK's workforce on furlough, from 14 per cent in December to 17 per cent now.
Meanwhile, the percentage of firms currently trading in the accommodation and food service industries has dropped to 34 per cent as the national shutdown hammers the hospitality sector.