THE government's furlough scheme set up in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic saw employers claim for 67,000 jobs in the first 30 minutes of its launch.

The coronavirus job retention scheme went live on Monday (April 20) with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) revealing thousands had already lodged their claim for support.

The scheme, which allows employers to claim grants worth up to 80 percent of wages, was announced last month as the UK went into lockdown.

According to HMRC, early indications from businesses trying to access the scheme are that it continues to 'hold up well' - with officials saying the newly-built systems can hold up to 450,000 applications an hour.

In a statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "Our unprecedented job retention scheme will protect millions of jobs across the country and is now up and running.

"It's vital that our economy gets up and running again as soon as it's safe - and this scheme will allow that to happen."

Earlier, Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the furlough scheme would be extended for a further month, until June as the UK continued to deal with the pandemic.

Approximately 5,000 HMRC staff will operate the scheme, intended to assist thousands of UK firms, with the money due to reach bank accounts within six working days, a statement from the Treasury said.

Phone lines and web-chat services will be available to help answer applicants' questions, with the scheme launching 10 days ahead of schedule, it added.

'Any delay would exacerbate the crisis'

Monday's launch of the scheme comes as the Government was warned of the economic cost for many companies of any delay in its implementation.

Adam Marshall, director general at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "Our research indicates that two-thirds of firms have furloughed some portion of their workforce.

"With April's payday approaching, it is essential that the application process is smooth and that payments are made as soon as possible. Any delay would exacerbate the cash crisis many companies are facing and could threaten jobs and businesses."

'You will receive your April pay, say Government'

Jim Harra, chief executive of HMRC, said he was "very confident" the system running the government's coronavirus job retention scheme would work after it had been "tested at volume".

He said: "Of course, there is a limit to the capacity of the system, so if every employer tries to use it at 8 o'clock this morning some will be asked to queue or come back later, that doesn't mean the system has crashed, it simply means that it's full.

"But employers can claim any time over the few days, between now and Wednesday, and we will have the money in their bank account by April 30."

He added: "So I'm confident that if employers are patient, use the system, it's available 24/7, and as I say, if your payroll date is April 30 you can claim any time today, tomorrow or Wednesday and we will get that money into your account."