Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Statutory Sick Pay

Monday 27 April 2026 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Yuan Yang questioned the adequacy of statutory sick pay rates for low-income workers.
  • The Minister highlighted changes to remove the three-day limit for statutory sick pay.
  • The 'Keep Britain Working' review aims to collaborate with employers to support workers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Yuan Yang Lab Earley and Woodley
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquires about the adequacy of statutory sick pay rates, focusing on recent changes made by the Government.

Question

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of rates of statutory sick pay. The MP welcomes the changes but questions if there is still a barrier to those on low incomes due to the flat rate of statutory sick pay being four fifths of average earnings.

Answer from Pat McFadden

Removing the three-day limit and giving access to statutory sick pay from day one, as well as making it available to those who work for multiple employers, should decrease pressure on workers to have to work through illness. The 'Keep Britain Working' review aims to work with employers to help keep people in jobs while they cope with long-term sickness issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of the adequacy of statutory sick pay rates for those on low incomes and how it impacts tackling illness in the workplace was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Yuan Yang Lab Earley and Woodley
Employment
Context

The MP highlights the Labour Government's Employment Rights Act 2025, which ensures workers get statutory sick pay from the first day they are ill.

Question

I am indeed very proud of this Labour Government's historic Employment Rights Act 2025, which means that workers will get statutory sick pay from the first day they are ill. However, does the Secretary of State accept that the current flat rate of statutory sick pay—at four fifths of average earnings—remains a barrier to those on low incomes and thus remains a barrier to tackling illness in the workplace?

Answer from Pat McFadden

Removing the three-day limit and giving access to statutory sick pay from day one, as well as making it available to those who work for multiple employers, should decrease pressure on workers to have to work through illness. The 'Keep Britain Working' review aims to work with employers to help keep people in jobs while they cope with long-term sickness issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of the adequacy of statutory sick pay rates for those on low incomes and how it impacts tackling illness in the workplace was not directly addressed.

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)