Huge change to UK sick pay rules set to come into force next month

Up to 1.3 million Brits will be affected by the change.

Around 1.3 million Brits who previously did not qualify for sick pay are set to receive it.

Due to current sick pay rules, those receiving £123 a week are not entitled to statutory sick pay, which is currently £116.75 per week for full-time workers.

However, changes coming into effect next month will mean that people who early below that £123 mark can start to earn sick pay.

Statutory sick pay is set to rise to £118.75 next month, while low earners will finally be able to claim sick pay for whichever amount is lower out of that or 80% of their average weekly pay next year.

There are around 1.3 million people in the UK that earn less than £123 a week who will now be able to claim sick pay.

According to the British Government, many people will be £100 better a week due to this change.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “For too long, sick workers have had to decide between staying at home and losing a day’s pay, or soldiering on at their own risk just to make ends meet.

“No-one should ever have to choose between their health and earning a living, which is why we are making this landmark change.

“The new rate is good for workers and fair on businesses as part of our plan to boost rights and make work pay, while delivering our plan for change.”

Secretary-general of the Trades Union Congress Paul Nowak has said that he would like to see "a wider review of the statutory sick pay rate" in the UK as it has one of the lowest rates of sick pay among developed nations.

The British Chambers of Commerce has called these new amendments a "fair compromise."