31/10/2024

Currently to be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay an employee must have average weekly earnings at or above the Lower Earnings Limit (currently £123 per week). Those that are eligible are only paid from their fourth day of sickness absence.

In Great Britain, the Government has stated that they will remove the requirement to earn at or above the Lower Earnings Limit before being entitled to SSP. The Government also plans to remove the waiting days meaning everyone will be eligible for SSP from the first day of sickness absence. Furthermore, enforcement and resolution of SSP disputes will be included within a newly established Fair Work Agency. See Factsheet  summarizing the changes.

On 21 October 2024, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in GB launched a Consultation to consider what the percentage rate for those earning below the current flat rate of Statutory Sick Pay should be.

SSP is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. This means that any decisions on changes to SSP in Northern Ireland (including whether to continue to align with the changes proposed in GB) are a matter for the Executive and NI Assembly.

Having said that historically Northern Ireland has maintained parity with the rest of the UK. On 30 October 2024, the Northern Ireland Department for Communities (who has responsibility for SSP) published a link  to the DWP’s Consultation on it’s webpage and is actively encouraging Northern Ireland stakeholders to respond.

This is perhaps a sign that we will maintain that parity approach. We would encourage members to respond and also start planning for a change. We will keep Members updated with any further developments.