Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect of expanding eligibility for statutory sick pay on the people of Newport West constituency.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provides a minimum level of income for employees when they are sick or incapable of work. Employers are legally required to pay SSP to eligible employees who are off work sick or incapable of work, where employees meet the qualifying conditions. The same qualifying conditions apply to employees across all regions. Some employers may also decide to pay more, and for longer, through Occupational Sick Pay.