Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rebecca Long Bailey and Chloe Smith

Monday 13th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford and Eccles) (Lab)]

T3. With the omicron variant spreading rapidly it is more important than ever that we do whatever it takes to minimise transmission but, at £96 a week, our statutory sick pay is among the lowest in Europe and the TUC found last week that 647,000 workers in hospitality, retail, arts and entertainment do not even qualify. The result is either destitution or desperate workers taking risks. Will the Secretary of State commit to extending statutory sick pay to all workers and increasing it to the real living wage?

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Chloe Smith)]

Statutory sick pay is just one part of our welfare safety net and the wider Government support offered to people in times of need. We have been able to look closely at statutory sick pay during the pandemic, but more consideration is needed and it certainly should not be looked at in isolation.