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The Government is consulting on strengthening Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This follows the publication of the Employment Rights Bill (see Advisory Bulletin 728), which contains provisions on SSP, including the removal of the qualifying Lower Earnings Limit (currently £123 per week). This means lower-paid workers will also be eligible for SSP, at the rate of the lower amount of £116.75 per week (subject to an annual review) or a “prescribed percentage” of the employee’s normal weekly pay.
This consultation concerns what that percentage should be.
The consultation closes on 4 December 2024 and details of how to respond are on the Government’s consultation website. The full consultation document also includes various examples of the potential impact on workers and employers, for rates ranging from 60 per cent to 80 per cent of weekly pay.
The rates of SSP for lower paid workers is not expected to have a substantial impact on local authorities, as lower-paid workers will already in many cases be entitled to contractual sick pay (including under the Green Book) at full pay for periods ranging from one month up to six months. However, it may have an impact in respect of some local authority workers, and on workers where work has been outsourced.
We anticipate that local authorities may have varying views on what the SSP percentage rate should be and, therefore, we encourage them to respond direct to the consultation. If you do respond direct, please send a copy to us at [email protected]