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Peter McGinn, 26, assistant manager, Manchester
Peter McGinn has applied for about 40 roles since losing his job at Boots. Photograph: Peter McGinn
Peter McGinn has applied for about 40 roles since losing his job at Boots. Photograph: Peter McGinn

'It’s desperate': stories from the frontline of the Covid jobs crisis

This article is more than 3 years old

People who have been made redundant in recent months reveal how they have been coping

Rishi Sunak has extended the government’s furlough scheme until March, but Tuesday’s employment figures underlined the impact that coronavirus is having on the jobs market. The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% to 4.8% between the second and third quarters of 2020, while a record 314,000 people lost their jobs in the three months to September. Here are some stories from the frontline of the Covid employment crisis.

‘Finding a job is a necessity to live’

Peter McGinn, 26, assistant retail manager, Manchester

Peter McGinn was made redundant from his role as an assistant manager in September after working six years for Boots in Manchester. “I started part-time while I was at university and when I finished I progressed through the ranks,” said McGinn. “It was the only proper job I’ve had apart from bar work.”

He worked throughout the first national lockdown and since losing his job has applied for about 40 roles, most of which he hasn’t heard back from. “There have been a few rejections but no interviews at the moment. I applied for a role at the Co-op and after I had submitted my application I saw that the job had been taken down.

“I like to be out busy doing things all the time so it can be quite hard being at home. I feel OK about the future but I think it will be hard for me to get a job as stable as the one before. Universal credit is my only source of income so finding one is a necessity to live.”

‘I’ve budgeted £25 a week for food’

Alison Luckham, 58, dental nurse, Bognor Regis

Alison Luckham is living on universal credit since being made redundant at the start of the Covid crisis. Photograph: Alison Luckham

Alison Luckham, a dental nurse who lives in Bognor Regis, was made redundant on 19 March. She has applied for jobs since but is living on universal credit. “It took five weeks to get the first payment,” said Luckham. “I ended up taking a universal credit loan, so I have to pay back £68 a month out of my benefits.

“I’ve budgeted £25 a week for food which means no money for petrol so I walk to do the shopping. It’s desperate. I have to fly by the seat of my pants every day. I can’t even think about what might happen in a month’s time.”

She has considered debt management but wants to avoid it if possible. “I can’t bear thinking about it as it can affect your credit rating but I’m hoping I can dig myself out of this hole I’ve been chucked into.

“I do have an upcoming job opportunity though in a dental practice that involves beauty therapy, which is something I did in my 30s, so I’m hoping it will work out.”

‘It’s hard to see when things will get better’

Savannah Southorn, 21, graduate, West Midlands

Savannah Southorn says the Covid pandemic has made things worse for graduates.

For graduate Savannah Southorn, her experience has been “demotivating” after applying for more than 100 jobs since the summer. “Most of the time you don’t even hear back,” said Southorn.

After graduating with a degree in history she moved back home and is living with her parents. “It’s quite hard for someone straight out of university as you’re competing for jobs with people who have been made redundant and are more skilled than you. It makes you wonder what’s the point?

“I have some savings and am on universal credit but I’m not really optimistic as we’re in a second lockdown now and it feels like deja vu. It’s hard to see when things will get better but everyone is in the same position.”

She is anxious for what will happen in the future: “There’s often uncertainty graduating from university, and I was just beginning to find my place in society, but the pandemic has made things even worse.”

‘I feel quite pessimistic but I’ve got to just keep applying’

Eleanor Doyle, 23, barista, Liverpool

Eleanor Doyle contracted coronavirus at the same time five close family members were made redundant.

“I feel quite pessimistic but I’ve got to just keep applying,” said Eleanor Doyle, who was made redundant last week from her job as a barista in a small independent restaurant.

Doyle, who lives in Liverpool, started the role just before the first lockdown but was not eligible for furlough. She volunteered for some shifts, some of which were paid, to help with takeaways. “I’m heartbroken for the business owners as they worked really hard to stay open. They were donating meals to homeless people and schools to help support them.”

She contracted coronavirus in October at the same time five close family members were made redundant. “We’re all going through a similar thing so empathy is a big part of us getting through this. I have savings in my master’s fund as I plan on going back to university next year but I may have to dip into it if I can’t find a job.”

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