Workers felt pressure from employers to continue working while furloughed during the coronavirus lockdown and keep quiet to keep their jobs

Since the government’s furlough scheme was launched in April, many have expressed concern that it is open to abuse by employers. HMRC is now examining 27,000 “high-risk” claims and a number of criminal investigations into suspected fraud are now under way.

Ahead of the programme coming to an end in October, people have told the Guardian that they were asked by their employer to work, despite being on furlough, and agreed for fear of being made redundant.

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