EMPLOYMENT figures in Britain have fallen by the largest amount in over a decade, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed today.

About 730,000 workers have been removed from payrolls since March, when the coronavirus lockdown began, the ONS found.

Employment rates have continued to decline in the last month as another 81,000 jobs fell off payrolls across the country, the ONS said, pushing the number of employed to just under 28.3 million.

Youngest, oldest and part-time workers were most affected, along with so-called “low-skilled” workers. 

However, the figures may not reflect the true impact of the pandemic as they do not include the millions of people who were furloughed, on zero-hours contracts but not getting shifts, or people on temporary unpaid leave.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said that “alarm bells couldn’t be ringing any louder” and called for urgent action from ministers.

“That means extending the job retention scheme for businesses with a viable future who can’t operate because of virus restrictions,” she said.

“It means investing in the jobs we need for the future in green industries, social care and across the public sector. 

“And it means ensuring a decent safety net is in place to help those who lose their jobs to get back on their feet.”

GMB union warned that the figures highlight the scale of the challenge ahead as the danger of the government’s October furlough “cliff edge” fast approaches.

Acting general secretary John Phillips said: “This is the tip of the iceberg.

“Our country cannot suffer another decade of weak growth, cuts to services and squeezes on the poorest.

“This challenge must be met square on with bold action and targeted support from government to protect jobs, secure livelihoods and save industries.”

Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The government must wake up to the scale of this, put an end to this jobs crisis and adopt a more flexible approach targeted at the sectors who need it most.

“Every job lost is a tragedy and we must do all we can to safeguard people’s livelihoods.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that the figures “make it clear” that the government’s support measures are working and that it had a “clear plan” to protect, support and create jobs. 

PM Boris Johnson said the government was committed to making the “colossal investments” needed to rebuild the economy.