Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Paragraph: 104
Our predecessor Committee recommended that the Department should improve the effectiveness of the Access to...
Recommendation
Our predecessor Committee recommended that the Department should improve the effectiveness of the Access to Work central call centre system. In response, the Department said that it recognised the importance of taking action to correct the issues with the system. We have heard, however, that problems accessing support through the central call centre still persist. We reiterate our predecessor Committee’s recommendation that the Department should immediately take action to rectify the problems with the call centre system.
Paragraph Reference:
104
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is designed to balance support for an individual when they are unable to work with the costs to employers of providing this support. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, government made a series of unprecedented changes to SSP rules to help people to comply with public health advice. This included making SSP payable from day one where absences were related to COVID-19 and available to employees who are sick or self-isolating due to COVID-19. However, the pandemic was not the right time to introduce broader changes to SSP which would have placed an immediate cost on employers at a time where many were struggling. As we learn to live with COVID-19, we will be able to take a broader look at the role of SSP. Work is ongoing to make sure we get any changes right, while our strong welfare safety net continues to support those who need it. Disability employment gap: Government response 21 Impact of the coronavirus pandemic