Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Statutory Sick Pay: Covid-19

Monday 30 November 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Emma Hardy questioned the effectiveness of statutory sick pay during the COVID-19 outbreak, citing insufficient levels and potential financial hardship.
  • Margaret Greenwood highlighted that statutory sick pay is too low at 95.85 per week and excludes 2 million lowest-paid individuals, with restrictive eligibility for additional financial support.
  • Gerald Jones asked the government to provide adequate financial support for individuals isolating due to COVID-19 to ensure they do not have to choose between their health and livelihood.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is questioning the adequacy of statutory sick pay in supporting individuals who are unable to work due to illness or need for self-isolation. She highlights concerns about low income levels and eligibility criteria.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of statutory sick pay during the COVID-19 outbreak? The level of statutory sick pay is insufficient, causing financial hardship for those who need to isolate and potentially deterring them from getting tested or isolating as advised by public health guidelines.

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Statutory sick pay is part of the wider targeted financial support offered by the government. It includes additional £500 of financial support for people who are required to stay at home but need further assistance due to their eligibility for specific social security payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about increasing statutory sick pay and extending it to everyone, including low-paid workers and the self-employed. The Minister did not address this request directly.

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Q2 Margaret Greenwood Lab
NHS Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is raising concerns about the eligibility criteria for statutory sick pay and test and trace support payment, which exclude a significant portion of low-income workers. She references Resolution Foundation data indicating that seven out of eight workers are ineligible.

Question

At £95.85 per week, statutory sick pay is too low and excludes 2 million lowest-paid individuals. Seven out of eight workers do not qualify for the test and trace support payment due to restrictive eligibility criteria. What assessment has been made on the number of people who are ineligible for both payments? Will the Government commit to increasing statutory sick pay and extending it to everyone, including low-income earners and self-employed?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Those required by NHS Test and Trace to isolate can be eligible for £500 additional financial support if they receive specific social security payments like universal credit or employment and support allowance. This is part of the wider safety net provided by the government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about increasing statutory sick pay and extending it to everyone, including low-income workers and self-employed individuals. The Minister did not directly address these points.

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Q3 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlights the importance of financial support to ensure people can afford to self-isolate. He refers to statutory sick pay as inadequate and requests assurance that necessary measures will be taken.

Question

For testing and tracing to work effectively, people must feel supported financially during isolation. Statutory sick pay is insufficient for those who need to isolate. Will the Government provide adequate support so individuals do not have to choose between their health and livelihood?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Statutory sick pay is part of the wider financial support provided by the government. Depending on individual circumstances, households may also qualify for universal credit, new-style employment and support allowance or the self-employed income support scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about providing sufficient financial support to enable people to self-isolate without affecting their livelihoods. The Minister did not provide a direct commitment to this request.

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Q4 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
NHS Employment
Context

The MP addresses constituents' concerns about statutory sick pay and difficulty in claiming isolation benefits. She presents a case study of an agency nurse facing financial hardship due to inability to work.

Question

I have received numerous complaints from constituents regarding low statutory sick pay and difficulties obtaining isolation benefit claims. An example is an agency nurse who lost two weeks' wages while self-isolating after her husband tested positive for COVID-19, despite fulfilling criteria for isolation support. She feels financially punished for following public health advice.

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

HMRC and BEIS have been issuing stronger guidance for employers on statutory sick pay. If employees face issues, they should approach their union representatives or use ACAS for resolution. No one should go to work when required to self-isolate or are ill due to COVID-19.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific measures to prevent low-income workers from financial penalties during isolation. The Minister did not provide concrete steps to address this issue directly.

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