Council data shows financial support for people self-isolating in England has left many workers in hardship, and highlights postcode variations in the success rate of applications, say unions.

Local authorities in England are responsible for processing applications for the £500 government support scheme, with money allocated from central government. Figures obtained by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) using a Freedom of Information (FoI) request suggest about 70% of applications were turned down as of 6 January, with large variations in approval rates across the country.