- One in four workers in Newcastle at risk due to ‘extremely low’ statutory sick pay (SSP)
- Campaigners urge the UK Government to implement urgent sick pay reforms
Today, 7th February, campaigners are calling on MPs to strengthen the UK’s sick pay system as thousands of working households across Newcastle face impossible choices between paying bills, delaying medical treatment, or risking worsening mental health due to inadequate statutory sick pay. They are urging the Government to back crucial amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which is expected to reach the Report Stage on or around 24th February.
The proposed amendments would:
- Increase statutory sick pay to at least 80% of the National Living Wage, phased in over five years.
- Remove the Lower Earnings Limit, extending eligibility to ensure that 1.3 million currently excluded employees receive support.
- Establish a higher replacement rate of at least 80% of income for low-paid workers, providing an adequate safety net during illness.
Analysis by the Trades Union Congress and the Centre for Progressive Change, based on 2021 census data, reveals that 25% of workers in Newcastle rely solely on statutory sick pay (SSP), the legal minimum that employers must provide. At just £116.75 per week—equivalent to only £3 per hour for a full-time worker—SSP falls far short of what is needed to cover basic living costs.
To raise awareness and build public support, campaigners have called on MPs to back these vital reforms. A Day of Action has been planned, featuring the delivery of ‘Get Well Soon’ cards to MPs, as well as coordinated letter-writing campaigns and social media outreach by local members and organisations.
At £116.75 per week, the UK’s sick pay rate is among the lowest in industrialised nations. Although set to rise by just £2 in April 2025, analysis by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University highlights the stark reality: a full-time worker, cohabiting with a partner on an average UK salary, would still lose £419 in net income for each week of illness—placing them below the minimum acceptable standard of living.
Campaigners stress that without urgent reform, millions of workers will remain vulnerable to financial hardship when they fall ill. They are urging MPs to act now to ensure that no worker is forced to choose between their health and making ends meet.
“Far too many workers are forced to push through illness because they can’t afford to take time off to recover. This isn’t sustainable. We’re calling on MPs to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by the Employment Rights Bill to reform our broken sick pay system and provide workers with the support they need.”
Amanda Walters, Director of the Centre for Progressive Change
Workers on low sick pay often face devastating choices. Recent research by Citizens Advice found that full-time employees are at the highest risk of being unable to cover essential costs after prolonged illness.
“I had to make a choice—try to survive on a sum that barely covered my council tax, let alone my mortgage and bills, or combine work with an intense treatment schedule. I used up my annual leave and put my recovery at serious risk.”
Clare, a cancer patient
“For the people we help, having an illness combined with money worries only makes matters worse. Being forced back to work by money worries can harm people’s long term health. Too many working people are ending up relying on charitable support, that’s why we’re backing an increase in sick pay.
Hannah Cooper, Research and Campaigns Manager at Citizens Advice Newcastle
“With the cost of living ever rising, it is really important to Equity members that when they work and need time off they can fall back on a level of sick pay that enables a safe recovery from illness. We’re appealing to MPs in the North East of England to back an increase in sick pay. It benefits no-one to see working people put their health at risk for want of a decent sick pay system”
Equity North East, Yorkshire and Humber
