UK paid employment falls by almost 650,000 as Covid-19 crisis bites

ONS says number of workers on payroll fell 2.2% from March although rate of decline fell in June

• Analysis - rising unemployment is becoming less hidden

Paid employment in Britain has plunged by almost 650,000 employees since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March, official figures show, as growing numbers of companies cut jobs.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of payroll employees fell by 2.2%, or 649,000, from March to June. However, it said the rate of decline in employment slowed in June compared with May.

Related: 29% of UK businesses to cut jobs in next three months, survey says