Grahame Morris MP is one of several MPs who have made representations to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, calling on him to increase Statutory Sick Pay to the level of the Real Living Wage.

In the letter, MPs express concern that the current level of Statutory Sick Pay is far too low, and is forcing people to choose between having enough money to live on, and self-isolating.

At just £95.85 per week, Statutory Sick Pay is among the lowest in Europe. The TUC estimates that it is equal to only a fifth of the average worker’s weekly earnings. Furthermore, nearly 2 million low-paid workers are entirely excluded from claiming Statutory Sick Pay because they earn less than £120 per week.

The Government’s one-off payment for some people who are asked to self-isolate is both far too limited in scope and falls well below what is needed to live on.

Signatories ask that the Chancellor urgently increase Statutory Sick Pay to the level of the Real Living Wage and remove the requirement for recipients to earn over £120 per week, to ensure that every single worker who needs to self-isolate is properly supported to do so.

Grahame Morris MP said, “Various groups have found themselves excluded from Government support throughout this pandemic. The requirement that recipients of Statutory Sick Pay earn over £120 per week is yet another example of this. I would urge the Chancellor close this gap, as well as to increase Statutory Sick Pay to to the level of the Real Living Wage. Nobody should find themselves in a position where they are forced to choose between self-isolating and having enough money to live. Without Government action, this will have direct negative implications for public health.”