
What is the current Statutory Sick Pay scheme?
This is a scheme that entitles employees who meet certain criteria to receive a weekly Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) amount if they are absent from work due to incapability. This is generally understood as being unfit through illness or injury to carry out their duties.
The current rate for statutory sick pay is £116.75 a week for up to 28 weeks. As per the government’s guidance, this is paid:-
-“for the days an employee normally works – called ‘qualifying days’
-in the same way as wages, for example on the normal payday, deducting tax and National Insurance.”
It is not payable for the first three qualifying days in any period of entitlement, which are referred to as waiting days. The employee must have average weekly earnings of not less than the lower earnings limit of £123 for the eight weeks before they became sick.
What changes are being proposed in the Employment Rights Bill?
The Government proposes in the Employment Rights Bill, which was published earlier this month, to make SSP available from the first day rather than the fourth day of sickness. It also proposes to remove the current lower earnings limit of £123 a week so that all employees are eligible for SSP.
Consultation Published on 21 October 2024
The Government has published a consultation on these SSP changes (see link below) and is seeking views in particular on employees earning below the current weekly rate of Statutory Sick Pay (£116.75 per week) and what percentage of their average earnings should they receive through the Statutory Sick Pay system and the reasons why.
Making Work Pay: Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay – GOV.UK
The government’s proposed changes are described in the consultation description “to ensure workplace rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people and deliver economic growth.”
The consultation closes on 4 December 2024.
The contents of this article are a general guide only at the date of publication. It is not comprehensive, and it does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be sought in relation to the particular facts of a given situation.