Rishi Sunak is talking about winding down the furlough scheme but thousands of Brits aren't covered by it in the first place.
For @indy100 I spoke to people who've fallen through the cracks and are desperately trying to make sure they're not forgotten. indy100.com/article/rishi-…
For @indy100 I spoke to people who've fallen through the cracks and are desperately trying to make sure they're not forgotten. indy100.com/article/rishi-…
It seems unbelievable that over six weeks since Sunak announced the measures, thousands who 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 have still not received any financial support. Like people who started a new job after 28 February.
People like Tim, who shares his story in the piece. Tim is a chef who started a new job on 8th March - before the cut off date of 19 March. But Tim's boss can't furlough him; workers can only be furloughed if they were PAID before the 19 March. Tim is paid monthly, on the 28th. 
Tim is now trapped 300 miles away from his home in North Wales, in live-in accommodation on-site at the closed restaurant where he was working. He's still waiting on his UC payments to come through - and when they do they'll be less than what he'd earn in a week as a chef.
Tim's desperate to work but there's no jobs - the entire hospitality industry is shuttered. His boss WANTS to furlough him and he can prove he had a contract of employment - he even received a final paycheque on the 28 March. Now he's completely out of cash and has bills to pay.
There's even a campaign on this issue - @NewStarterJust. It's garnered support from over 46 MPs. But it's being ignored by Sunak and the government. Even though thousands of people get paid monthly.
Tim wasn't the only person who shared a story of being completely failed by the furlough scheme. There was also Katie. She's eligible for furlough but her employer made her redundant and refused to extend the scheme to her. Because it's 'optional' there is nothing she can do.
I also talked to Wendy, a director of a small LTD company who lost her major contract and 50% of her income overnight. B/c of her wage set up, she's now stuck between a rock and hard place where the government doesn't recognise her main source of income - and won't match it.
It was really, really important to me to share several perspectives on this issue. It's not just #newstarterjustice being left behind; it's also #forgottenLTD and employees whose bosses just won't furlough them. The loopholes are numerous and devastating.
I don't usually say this but it would be massively appreciated if people share that piece - or any piece on the topic. Those I spoke to are in a terrible situation. Their income is gone, they're terrified and no help seems forthcoming. In fact, the gov is doing the opposite.
