More than 10 per cent of all Test Valley Council employees are currently on furlough, it has been revealed.

Figures seen by the Advertiser show that as of the end of May, 55 employees were on the Government's job retention scheme, accounting for 10.9 per cent of the local authority's total workforce.

This figure has steadily risen since the beginning of lockdown, as 28 people were on furlough at the end of March, before it moved to 44 in April.

A council spokesman said of the figures: “As a result of the pandemic, some of the usual roles that the council carries out were not possible due to facilities being closed or through non-essential activities. These include monitoring car parks, operating The Lights Theatre and other leisure venues, and running a number of buildings across the borough."

In comparison with neighbouring authorities, Basingstoke and Deane Council had not placed any of its staff on furlough as of May 20, whereas Hampshire County Council had placed 3.17 per cent on furlough (a total of 410 workers).

Test Valley has also saved thousands of pounds by placing these workers on furlough.

The total amount of money claimed by the council through the scheme has also risen since lockdown began.

In March, £3,901.55 was claimed which then rose to £19,080.10 in April before the figure peaked in May when £51,050.29 was claimed.

The council spokesman added that in some cases, the roles of staff who would normally operate in areas such as car parks or leisure venues were redeployed to help the "most vulnerable during the Covid-19 outbreak" but that this wasn't possible for all.

"Many have been operating alongside our partner Unity to run the Test Valley community hotline seven days a week, while others have instead been delivering food parcels to those who are shielding up and down the borough," he said.

"However, as with other local authorities and businesses, some have also been furloughed where these roles have not been possible.

“We are keeping this under continuous review and as soon as further restrictions are lifted by government, and more council buildings are able to reopen, staff will be brought back to work as quickly as possible.”

Last month Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough scheme would be extended up until the end of October.

The scheme – which pays 80 per cent of a worker’s salary up to a £2,500 monthly cap – will remain unchanged until the end of July and then continue with employers expected to start footing some of the multi-billion pound bill.