Turn2us responds to the latest unemployment figures

Responding to the latest figures which show that unemployment rose to 1.35 million in the three months to March , Thomas Lawson, Chief Executive at Turn2us, said:

“This sudden increase in unemployment as a result of coronavirus is, while not surprising, a significant cause for concern. There were already 14 million of us living in poverty before the pandemic and this is only going to get worse as more and more people lose their incomes and struggle to get by. This is why it’s so important that the government responds with practical solutions that reach everyone and prevent people from slipping through the net – living with no source of income.

“We have heard from hundreds of thousands newly unemployed people who have already spent their savings and now face hunger, homelessness and debt.  The surge in applications for Universal Credit also highlights the crisis many are now living. Unfortunately our social security system is not fit for purpose. This is a significant worry as the recession following coronavirus extends into the summer months and beyond.

 “We strongly urge the government to expand their employee and self-employed income protection schemes to help the thousands currently ineligible, such as the newly self-employed who are missing out. The DWP must also fix Universal Credit by ending the five week wait; increasing the work allowance and eliminating policies such as the two child limit. It’s imperative that our government provides those in our families and communities with the cushion they need, when they need it. And, that’s now.”