From today, a significant shift in UK sick pay rules will impact up to 9.6 million workers, including 1.2 million newly eligible employees who previously earned too little to qualify.
Historically, employees had to earn at least £125 per week to qualify for statutory sick pay (SSP). Starting now, this earnings threshold has been abolished, enabling low-paid, part-time, and some casual or variable-hours workers to access SSP benefits. According to a Trades Union Congress (TUC) analysis, around 8.4 million workers who rely on SSP will also notice immediate changes, with payments beginning from the first day of sickness rather than the fourth.
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, acknowledged the significance of these reforms: “We are at a tipping point.” However, he cautioned that without improved employer guidance, the changes risk exploitation by a small minority attempting to defraud firms.
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From 6 April 2026, the waiting period for SSP will be eliminated, mandating payments from the very first day of qualifying sickness absence. This change will increase the administrative burden on employers, who will need to adjust absence reporting procedures to ensure timely and accurate record-keeping.
The SSP calculation itself is also set to evolve. Instead of a fixed weekly rate, payments will be calculated at the lower of 80% of an employee’s average weekly earnings or the statutory weekly rate. For the 2026/27 tax year, the statutory rate will increase to £123.25, aligning sick pay more closely with actual income while capping employer costs.
These reforms mark a progressive extension of worker protections, promoting financial security during illness for millions of previously underserved employees and reflecting evolving employment patterns across the UK.