New figures have shown that 2,500 people remain on the UK Government's furlough scheme to protect jobs through the Coronavirus pandemic.
Statistics published by HMRC show that 6% of all eligible workers remain paid via the Job Retention Scheme (JRS). Across Scotland, an average of 8% of those eligible are being supported through the JRS.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said the figures again underlined the importance of UK Government intervention to protect the economy from the worst impact of the virus.
Nearly one million jobs have been supported throughout Scotland by the JRS and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme. The Scottish Government has also received about £10million in direct funding from Westminster to help fight the pandemic.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
"These figures once again highlight the huge value of the UK Government's furlough scheme during this pandemic.
"Thousands of people in Moray are still being paid 80% of their normal wages to avoid redundancy.
"We also know that the self-employed here have received support and businesses have been able to access loans and grants to help stay afloat.
"The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has repeatedly taken steps to protect the economy throughout this crisis and ensure that we have the best chance of bouncing back quickly as we recover."