One in six UK workers could lose their jobs because of the economic fall-out of the coronavirus crisis. Worrying analysis by the New Economics Foundation suggests that as many as 5.6m people - out of a total workforce of 32m - are at risk of finding themselves out of work.
It also warns that many of these workers are ineligible for Government wage subsidy schemes, and could be forced onto benefits unless a bigger safety net is created.
Speaking to the Sun, the thinktank's head of economics Alfie Stirling said: “Despite the Government’s interventions to protect jobs and pay, millions could face the prospect of relying on benefits for the first time. “But Universal Credit payments are insufficient to meet basic living costs.