Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Rejected
Paragraph: 81
The UK Government must urgently review the level at which Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is...
Recommendation
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.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejects the recommendation to review Statutory Sick Pay levels, stating that it is reviewed annually and that more than half of employees receive more than the statutory minimum from their employer. They are keeping the system under review.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
81
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
Statutory Sick Pay should not be looked at in isolation, more than half of employees (60%) receive more than the statutory minimum from their employer. In the response to ‘Health is Everyone’s Business’ consultation published in 2021, the UK Government stated the pandemic was not the right time to introduce changes to the rate of Statutory Sick Pay, or its eligibility criteria, as this would have placed an immediate and direct cost on employers at a time where many were struggling. As we learn to live with Covid-19, the UK Government is continuing to take a broader look at the role of Statutory Sick Pay and is keeping the system under review. Any further changes will be announced to Parliament. The UK Government will not provide a further update to the Committee.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗