Oral QuestionDepartment for Work and Pensions

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of rates of Statutory Sick Pay.

Tabled: 21 April 2026Answered: 27 April 2026

Asked by

Yuan Yang

LabourEarley and Woodley

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)

I believe my hon. Friend will welcome the changes the Government have made to statutory sick pay, which came into force earlier this month. For the first time ever, we have removed the lower earnings limit for statutory sick pay, as well as the waiting period so that people can access sick pay as soon as they need it. These changes will mean that up to 1.3 million more people will be covered, helping the low paid and those who work for more than one employer in particular.