Shadow Finance Secretary Donald Cameron has welcomed evidence that the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s decision to launch a jobs retention scheme has saved more than 370,000 Scottish jobs.

A survey, commissioned by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, has found that Scottish employers have on average furloughed 58% of their employees and, in the absence of the Job Retention Scheme, would have made 34% of their workforce redundant. That equates to over 15% of all employees in Scotland.

Mr Cameron said: “In the Highlands and Islands, many businesses have taken the opportunity to furlough their workers.

“This makes it much more likely that they will have jobs to return to after the pandemic.

“While we tackle the health implications of Covid-19, we mustn't forget that there is a parallel economic fight going on which we must take every opportunity to win.

“The size and diversity of the UK’s economy is proving to be a real source of strength and resilience during this emergency, and it is only right that the government is using it to secure the employment prospects of so many people.”