BRITS who self-isolate over coronavirus fears will get sick pay from day one, Boris Johnson has announced today.
The PM revealed sweeping changes which mean people who have to stay at home will not have to wait four days to claim funding help.
Read our coronavirus live blog for all the latest news and updates
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He revealed the news at PMQs this afternoon, saying: “Nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing.”
Boris said: “I can today announce the Health Secretary will bring forward as part of emergency legislation, measures to allow the payment of statutory sick pay from the very first day you are sick instead of four days under current rules.
“I think that is the right thing.”
Most employers pay sick pay anyway, but it will depend on your contact.
If they don’t offer it, then Brits have to be ill for three days before they can start claiming Statutory Sick Pay on the fourth day.
To qualify, they have to earn at least £118 a week – so it doesn’t cover everyone.
The PM said today anyone who does not qualify for it can look into claiming Universal Credit instead.
But experts warned today that there needed to be more help for two million low-paid workers who don’t earn that amount, or the five million self-employed who can’t claim it.
TUC boss Frances O’Grady said: “This is an important step forward for working people. But it’s not enough.
“Two million workers still don’t earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay. They can’t afford not to work. And statutory sick pay still isn’t enough to live on.”
However, Boris hinted there would be more help on the way for them in the coming days.
Boris said: “We are urgently looking at the application process to reflect on the advice on self isolation.
“We want to do everything we can to avoid penalising those who are doing the right thing.”
It comes as:
He also suggested today that Parliament’s rules could be ripped up to stop them spreading the disease to their constituents.
Asked at PMQs what he would do to make sure the Houses of Parliament stayed open, he said that a statement was coming in days.
Boris said: “The chief medical officer and scientific adviser together with the Home Secretary, will be saying a bit more in next couple of days about what we are going to do to delay the advance of coronavirus in Parliament and other large gatherings.”
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Your rights to sick pay if you have to self-isolate due to coronavirus
If you think you may have some into contact with someone who’s been infected by the virus then you should tell your employer straightaway.
They may advise you not to come into the workplace because you risk spreading the illness to your colleagues.
If you’re worried about the loss of income, you may be able to negotiate working from home during this time so that you pay isn’t affected.
In the UK, workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) so long as they work for an employer, are sick for at least four days in a row and earn on average at least £118 per week (£6,136 per year).
These rules still apply if you are working on a part-time or fixed-term contract.
Your employer can choose to pay you your full salary while you’re off sick but the statutory minimum entitlement is currently £94.25 per week.
If you think your boss is refusing to pay you what you think you are owed, tell them they must fill in a government sick pay form explaining their reasons and handed it back to you.
If your boss till won’t cough up, contact ACAS which will negotiate with them on your behalf.
BORIS’ BATTLE PLAN
Yesterday the PM unveiled his battle plan for how the country could deal with the spread of the virus.
The worst case scenario could see one in five Brits off sick at the peak of the crisis, it was estimated.
At the moment Brits who have been to an area affected by a widespread outbreak of coronavirus – like Wuhan in China and some towns in Northern Italy – are advised to self-isolate when they get home.
If they have been to areas where some cases have been reported – such as the North of Italy more generally – the public has been told to isolate themselves at home only if they get flu-like symptoms.
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Earlier experts warned the virus would likely kill Brits as it continues to spread.
Professor Chris Whitty said it was highly likely it would become a pandemic here – and we were on the verge of being unable to contain it.
Last night the NHS was put on the highest level of alert to get ready for the outbreak to come.
Professor Whitty said this morning: “It’s much more likely than not that we’re going to deal with a significant epidemic.
“It is almost certain there will be more cases, probably a lot of cases, and we would expect some deaths.
“It’s when it’s going from person to person to person and then we pick it up – that’s what we mean by community transmission.
“It is likely that will be happening, if not now, but soon. I think it’s likely to be happening at the moment, not definite.”
GPs could have to give video appointments in future, he warned.
What you can do to help in the UK fight against coronavirus
- Follow public health advice on handwashing regularly for at least 20 seconds
- Reduce the impact and spread of misinformation by only relying on trusted sources like the NHS website, and Gov.UK
- Check and follow the latest FCO travel advice when travelling and planning to travel
- Ensure you and your family’s vaccinations are up to date to reduce pressures on the NHS
- Checking on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours
- Using NHs 111, pharmacies and GPs responsible, and only go the hospital when you really need to
- Being understanding of the pressures the health and social care systems may be under and receptive to changes
- Accepting that the advice for managing the illness for most people will be self-isolating at home and over the counter medications
- Checking for new advice as the situation changes
