Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the economic effect of self-isolation on people who are (a) reliant on and (b) ineligible for statutory sick pay.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provides a minimum level of income for employees when they are off work sick. SSP should not be looked at in isolation. Where an employee’s income is reduced while off work sick and they require further financial support, for example where they are not eligible for SSP, they may be able to claim Universal Credit and new style Employment and Support Allowance, depending on individual circumstances.

Background

SSP is paid at a flat level of £95.85 per week.

Where an individual receives both SSP and Universal Credit, SSP will be taken into account when calculating the Universal Credit payment.

An estimated 2 million individuals do not qualify for SSP because they earn below the Lower Earnings Limit (£120 per week).

From 28 September 2020 a new £500 Test and Trace Support payment will be introduced for working people who are on low incomes and cannot work from home who are required by NHS Test and Trace to remain at home to help stop the spread of the virus.