Living Costs Mount Up For Workers Left Out Of Furlough Scheme
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At the start of May, as the number of coronavirus cases in the UK began to steadily fall, Boris Johnson issued an address to the nation.
The PM urged employees who could not do their jobs from home to return to work – as long as they were able to maintain social distancing and avoid public transport.
But for those whose industries cannot begin to function again, this is not an option – despite the fact many workers have not received a pay packet for several months.
As HuffPost UK reported in March, in sectors such as television and theatre, short-term PAYE contracts lasting just weeks or months are the norm.
And while many people who take on short-term PAYE contracts might categorise themselves as self-employed or freelancers, they are ineligible for either of the government’s two main financial assistance schemes.
Most cannot be furloughed through the employee retention scheme, but cannot access the self-employment income support scheme (SEISS) either. Their only option was to apply for welfare support through Universal Credit – but those with partners on furlough, or with savings set aside due to a lack of industry pension contributions, did not qualify.
TV producer Vicky Maitland, from Hertfordshire, has received no money since February. She and partner Ryan Forshaw have had to cover all their bills from his salary.
“To say the last two months have been stressful would be an understatement,” she told HuffPost UK.
“Not only did my entire industry shut down as soon as Covid-19 took hold in the UK, meaning I had no chance of employment for the foreseeable future, but I have also been left out of the government support packages through no fault of my own.
“This has left me not knowing how my bills and mortgage would be paid, let alone food and living costs.
“Mentally it’s been tough, knowing I have a proven track record of working through...
