Coronavirus: Fifth of workers fear they will lose jobs within six months after pandemic

“It is shocking that over half of all workers fear they are so close to being without a roof over their heads,” said Dr Shaheen. “Millions of people – including those now on Universal Credit and those not qualifying for the furlough scheme – will be increasingly desperate as their mortgage and rent holidays end. Coronavirus has put society in an X-ray machine to reveal its structural weakness and is now magnifying existing inequalities. “It is up to the Chancellor to seize this opportunity, to build a bridge from the furlough scheme and unemployment benefits to green jobs and a fairer society.” The Survation survey found that 49 per cent of respondents said they were currently claiming benefits entirely or partly due to the coronavirus outbreak.