Recommendation 5

The UK Government must urgently review the level at which Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is set. At only £96.35 per week, it is equivalent to only 20 per cent of the average wage—compared to 100 per cent in Germany and 90 per cent in France. In the interest of public health and to ensure that nobody is forced to choose between keeping themselves and others safe or putting food on the table, the UK Government must commit to increasing the level of SSP. The DWP should write to the committee with an update on progress within 6 months.