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More than 100,000 workers in Northern Ireland were still on the furlough scheme in July, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The government's job retention scheme paid 80% of workers wages up to £2,500 a month from March to August.

Trade unions have raised concerns that the scheme is set to end next month.

Since September, employers have had to pay 10% of the wages of staff, as well as national insurance contributions, and government covered 70% of wages.

Flexible furlough started in July which meant businesses could bring employees back on a part-time basis.

In Northern Ireland, almost 25,000 workers got back to work part-time in July.

At its peak, the job retention scheme paid the wages of 250,000 workers in Northern Ireland.

"These figures show the success of our furlough scheme - making sure people's jobs are there for them to return to," Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said.

Self-employed people have also received support since March.

Figures from HMRC show 56,000 claims for a "second" support grant were made in Northern Ireland totalling £140m.

The second grant was a single payment that covered 70% of three months worth of profits up to a cap of £6,750.

"This vital support has proven invaluable for around 330,000 NI residents who have benefited from these schemes since lockdown," Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said.