One group of Brits will earn £73.95 further as main new rule change is available in from April
As of April, the waiting period and lower earning limit for Statutory Sick Pay will be removed. Now, payment will be triggered from the very first day of absence.
New rules come into force in April(Image: Getty Images)
In some rare good news for Brits, one group of people will be getting an extra £73.95 over three days from April – but the way to get it is not pleasant. In 2024, the Government announced major changes to Statutory Sick Pay, which are set to come into force from April.
The biggest of which is how much you earn and when from, with the current rule stating that you can only get it on day three. However, the new rules coming into action soon means that sickly Brits will actually get their cash on day one.
Based on the fact that, in the government’s own words, the current system “fosters economic insecurity at work,” the new rules will mean that “no one should feel forced to struggle through work when they are too unwell to do so”.
As of April, the waiting period and lower earning limit will be removed. Now, payment will be triggered from the very first day of absence.
This means that for a person working a standard five-day week, this change results in an immediate financial gain of £24.65 for a single day’s illness, scaling up to a total of £73.95 extra for anyone absent for three days or more.
This shift is particularly significant for those on tight budgets, as it ensures that a bout of the flu or a minor injury no longer results in a total loss of wages for nearly half a work week.
Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment said: “The pandemic exposed just how precarious work and life is for those on acute low incomes. No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship, which is why we plan to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay, so it provides a safety net for those who need it most.
“Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay is an important part of a much bigger picture, and it is important we work in close partnership with employers and workers to get this right. Our Plan to Make Work Pay brings an opportunity for sustained economic growth, improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of our people.
“We will work together to build a world of work that is fair, secure, and prosperous for this and the next generation.”
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