‘Rishi Sunak has cancelled Christmas’

Those excluded from state aid for Covid-19 tell Jessica Beard and Harry Brennan of their despair

Rishi Sunak has been branded a “real- life Scrooge” as millions of households face a bleak Christmas after nine months of being excluded from financial help.

This year’s festivities are effectively cancelled for those who have been pushed to the brink of financial ruin. Many fear eviction after falling behind on rent payments and are struggling to pay for food.

Millions of small business owners, freelancers and those who had recently started a new job have had to get by on next to no income since April after they found they were ineligible for furlough or self-employed support.

The Chancellor has faced fierce criticism for allowing them to fall through cracks in state support schemes that he has repeatedly failed to plug.

The Government insists its support measures are among the most generous in the world but says exclusions are needed to clamp down on “unacceptable fraud” – a bitter blow for those who have been paying their taxes for years and have sought state handouts for the very first time.

For many, money has “simply dried up”, said Aron Padley of ExcludedUK, a campaign group. Turkey and gifts will be an afterthought to the mental health crisis many will be dealing with this Christmas, he said. Eight group members have taken their own lives since the start of November.

“With many facing a dark festive period I worry, with no end to this nightmare, how some might react during what can be a difficult time for many,” he added.

those affected. spoke to some of