Can they do this?

[pullthecracker]

I started a new job a few months ago and realised that I hated it. I got a new job, but am waiting for security clearances etc. I had to go to the new job this week to have my identification checked, and in order to have the time off, the current employers asked for me to write a letter saying I was resigning but that the date was to be confirmed.
My notice period is 2 weeks. As soon as they got the letter, I was suddenly taken off my current role and made to work two hours away doing some filing in head office. I have never given a date that I am going to leave, and suddenly I the next weeks rota, it has no longer working against my name.
I now don't know if I have a job from Tuesday or not, nobody has told me anything.
Can they suddenly make me leave like that? It may be another month or more befor I can start my new job.

Why on earth did you tell your current job you're leaving?! You should just have taken a day of annual/sick leave without telling them why.

They are being utter cunts; I can see why you want to leave.

Sorry, I realise none of this is helpful.

Have you got a signed contract stating which site you work at and your conditioned hours/rota? Are you still on probation? I hope someone with experience of employment law will be along to help soon, it sound like an awful situation.

It does sound like you've been let go :( didn't you need a reference from them

Within 2 years your contract can be terminated with no formal reason. Having indicated that you would leave they may have jumped the gun. I guess you could try to negotiate a leaving date sooner than your notice period if that suits you better than travelling. Is the work of a sensitive nature or directly competitive with new employer?

I wasn't going to tell them, but my new employers needed a reference from the current ones, so I had no choice.
The contract says I am based in my home town, but that occasionally I can be expected to travel to other areas.
I'm going from private healthcare back into the NHS. Do you think it's worth me going in on Tuesday to find out what's happening or do I just presume that I'm not there anymore?

I would go in just so they don't have any reason to avoid paying you until you leave

I had said for the last week that it wouldn't have made any sense for them to keep me there for any length of time, as they are paying me a lot more for the filing clerk role and paying me expenses for a £15 a day train fare.

Good point Bertha