Covid-19: Fewest firms planning job cuts since pandemic beganon February 21, 2021 at 12:02 am

The figures suggest the decision to extend the furlough scheme has helped to prevent wider job losses.

The numbers for January showed that, in total, 32,000 jobs were described as at risk in those plans. It is the lowest figure since the start of the pandemic, excluding December, which usually sees less activity because of the Christmas holidays.