People due to start a new job before lockdown tell us how they're surviving

There’s never a good time for a pandemic. But for some, the coronavirus situation came at the worst possible time.

Many people who were due to start a new job, for example, were left in a precarious situation.

As the coronavirus outbreak closed off many businesses, these people are in limbo.

Those who were not on their employer’s payroll prior to 19 March do not qualify for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

The unfortunate timing made it hard for them to apply for the government’s furlough scheme.

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Many had already given them notice when lockdown was introduced and they had to give up their current job and starting their new job meant they had passed the 19 March deadline.

Some people were able to ask their old employer to reemploy them to furlough them but the decision was up to the business and some were refused that option.

In response, a campaign, New Starter Justice, is lobbying for those who changed jobs after this date, who now have no work or income, to be eligible for the CJRS.

New Starter Justice estimates that 1.6 to 2.3 million people had just started—or were due to start— new jobs as lockdown hit.

Research from the group shows that 75% of new starters will run out of money for food and bills within three months, 67% have outgoings greater than their income, and 22% have had no income since lockdown began

We spoke to some new starters about how they’re managing to survive as the lockdown continues.

Lorraine Crozier

I resigned from my previous role in January with three months’ notice to give. I had a new job to go to but my offer was withdrawn on 26 March before my notice period was finished.

My old employer refused to furlough me and I’ve had no income from the end of March apart from one payment of £104 from Job Seekers Allowance. I have no other household income as I live alone.

I asked for a mortgage holiday but I’m paying interest only. I’ve received no Universal Credit and won’t know until 9 June whether I will get anything. I am living off my small savings, which will run out very soon. I had a company car and phone with my previous job which I lost, so I was without a car and phone for almost a month.

Gareth Clement

My new job started on 13 March but my payday and RTI submission was on 25 March, meaning I miss out on being furloughed by six days. I have a two-year-old, and a wife working 60-70 hours a week to keep a roof over our head. I have no savings, no benefits, and will have a shortfall when our payment holidays end. My ex-employer wouldn’t rehire me, which isn’t surprising.

Surviving now is living day to day, not knowing when the next pay is coming in. It’s hoping you’ll wake up and there’s a change of rules, hoping you win money, hoping someone gifts you money. All I have is hope.

India Rose Meade

I was supposed to start a TV traineeship, finally breaking into the industry after 18 months in retail, on 30 March.  

The role has been delayed until at least September for now, so I am paying my high London rent currently, just about, using Universal Credit.  I worry that by the time they review whether the job can still go ahead, they’ll change their mind and I’ll be left with no job at all. 

Hannah Mitchell

I have worked seasonal contracts for the same hospitality establishment for the past two years, and this year was offered a permanent contract and promotion to a managerial position, starting on 16 March. Within two weeks, I was placed on unpaid leave as I was ineligible for furlough.

My position is live-in, owing to the remote rural location of the establishment and my employer has been very understanding and allowed to us to remain in our accommodation during lockdown, however, I fear that if I am not required to return to my post once hospitality starts to re-open, owing to reductions in capacity and a lesser need for a full team, my job, and home could both be under threat.

My partner has been travelling an hour each way to work three days at a supermarket, and I have been desperately trying to find similar work, but being in a rural area, jobs are scarce and unusually competitive.

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