Commenting on the increase of statutory sick pay by £3 to £99.35 a week today (Wednesday), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Today’s minimal increase to statutory sick pay means it is still set below survival rate.

“Statutory sick pay in the UK is by far the lowest in Europe. And two million of the lowest paid don’t qualify for it at all.

“Time and time again we warned ministers that sick pay wasn’t enough to live on.

“After more than two years of the pandemic, it’s inhumane and counter-productive for ministers not to have fixed our broken sick pay system.

“Enough is enough. It’s time for decent sick pay for all – paid at the real Living Wage so people can pay their bills when they’re ill.”