A group of charities – including Citizens Advice, Macmillan Cancer Support, Mind, and Maggie’s – are calling for a raise the basic rate of statutory sick pay (SSP) in the UK.
The government’s consultation on the Employment Rights Bill, which coincides with the bill’s second reading, has prompted charities and campaigners to call for a significant increase in SSP. The bill introduces paid sick leave from day one, extending eligibility to workers earning below £123 a week, but many believe more needs to be done to support workers.
At present, SSP for full-time employees is approximately £3 an hour, or £116 per week. Campaigners argue that this low rate is pegged to inflation and leaves many vulnerable workers struggling to meet essential living costs such as food, rent, and heating while they are unwell.
Campaigners Push for Higher SSP Amid Economic and Health Concerns
The charities have written a joint letter to Labour leader Keir Starmer, detailing the issues faced by working people diagnosed with infectious diseases, cancer, mental health issues, or serious injuries, who often find themselves without enough financial support during periods of illness.
The charities expressed concerns that the current SSP system harms both employees and employers, warning that it could undermine the government’s broader goals of economic growth and strengthening the National Health Service (NHS).
“Hundreds of thousands of working people who are each year diagnosed with infectious diseases, cancer, mental health problems or serious injuries will still find themselves without adequate financial support to pay essential bills like food, rent and heating,” they wrote.
“There is a wide-ranging body of evidence, medical, academic and from leading UK thinktanks and charities, that suggests the current SSP system harms workers and is self-defeating for employers and the government alike.”
Campaigners argue that the low level of SSP is counterproductive for businesses and the government, as it forces many sick workers into financial hardship, increasing their dependence on out-of-work benefits. They believe that reforming SSP would help alleviate this burden, support workers’ health, and contribute to economic growth in the long term.
