EMPLOYERS will be asked to pay towards the furlough scheme later this year - and self-employed workers can apply for a second grant.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak revealed how the furlough scheme that has supported one million jobs will be wound down after eight months.

In August, taxpayers will still be paying the money that covers 80 per cent of employees' wages though employers will start paying workers' National Insurance and pension contributions

In September, the amount paid by the taxpayer will dip to 70 per cent and employers will be asked to pay 10 per cent of the scheme for their furloughed employees.

In October, the final month, employers will pay 20 per cent of workers' wages while the taxpayer contributes towards the other 60 per cent.

From July 1, the scheme will become more flexible - for example, bosses could ask workers to come in for two working days a week and furlough them for the other three.

Meanwhile, the 2.3 million self-employed workers who have been helped by the government's income support scheme can apply for a second grant which will be paid out in August.

The lump sum will cover three months of their average monthly profits, up to £6,570.

Mr Sunak said: "As we reopen the economy, there is broad consensus across the political and economic spectrum, the furlough scheme cannot continue indefinitely."

"Our economic response to coronavirus was designed to keep people in work, protect people's incomes and support businesses, all to give us the best chance of recovering quickly as the economy reopens.
"These measures have been on a scale unmatched by any government in recent history.
"I do want to acknowledge that we haven't been able to support everyone in the exact way they would want.

"Now, our thoughts, our energies, our resources must turn to looking forward to planning for the recovery and we will need the dynamism of our whole economy as we fight our way back to prosperity.
"Not everything will look the same as before. It won't be the case that we can simply put the key in the lock, open the door and step into the world as it was in January.
"We will develop new measures to grow the economy, to back business, to boost skills and to help people thrive in the new post-Covid world.
"Today, a new national collective effort begins to reopen our country and kick-start our economy."