Returning to UK after company went bust

AJRBADGER

My company won a contract in the UAE and I was seconded over here (from the UK) arriving in country on the 12th March 2019. I had applied for non-resident status and have been paying UAE income tax (ie no tax), although I still have been paying UK NI on my wage. My intent was to be here until at least 2022 to see through this project.

However on the 6th of January my home company went bust and I was made redundant immediately (I have 22 months service) - stranding me in country. I am trying to sort flights myself to return and I am having to sort out things like rent, mobile debt, car lease, etc - in country before leaving. I will have have to fork out around £1600 before I leave here, then about another £400 for a flight - pretty much wiping out my savings.

I had suspected something was wrong when Decembers wages did not go into the bank, but put it down to Christmas - so I haven't been paid since November.

However, I have earned around £44,000 since being over here - and it is an expensive place to stay. I've been enjoying the lifestyle here, certainly in my first 6 months - I haven't saved a massive amount.

Any advice on what my rights are with regards to having to fund my rent, flights, bills that my company was paying?

My biggest concern is that I am going to get hammered with a 4-5k tax bill to rub salt into the wounds. Is there any way this can be minimised?

I am quite stressed that this is going to end with me being very out of pocket.