References

[Meow75]

I had an interview on 11th Feb, and was offered the job 2 days later. Filled in DBS (CRB) form.
Waiting ... waiting ... for start date, and today they e-mail me to say job offer is withdrawn due to unsatisfactory references.

Last boss and line manager have completely screwed, so now what do I do as presumably they'd do the same for the next request for a reference?! So unhappy right now - 12 years of service and they do this to me, when it was no skin of their nose, as I'd already left that job anyway.

Do you know what they have said? What could the unsatisfactory element be?

Could you ask for copies to check accuracy?
They are allowed to give. " bad" reference despite what some people think but it has to be factually accurate such as sickness days etc

Submit a Section 7 Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act 1998. You submit it in writing to the company you applied to and NOT the one who wrote the reference. It may cost you £10. As someone has said your last employer are quite within their rights to give you a really bad reference if it is factually correct.