Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of changes in employment retention levels since changes to the percentage threshold scheme for statutory sick pay were introduced on 6 April 2014.

The Department for Work and Pensions has not undertaken a formal assessment of changes in employment retention levels since changes to the percentage threshold scheme for statutory sick pay were introduced on 6 April 2014. The Impact Assessment supporting this change reflects that the removal of the scheme will not precipitate illegal discrimination by employers against employees with poor sickness records. If employees should suffer such discrimination then there are legal protections in place.