The Centre for Progressive Change
We build national campaigns for a more progressive society.
#SafeSickPay - we need to raise the rate of Statutory Sick Pay so everyone can afford to get well soon.
- It is with great pleasure that we welcome Tom Darling today as our new Safe Sick Pay Campaign Director🥳 Tom brings a wealth of experience from his work on the Renters' Reform Coalition. He will be leading the campaign to see that all get the sick pay they need.
- Great contribution to the debate and evidence-base on the future of workplace health from @thefabians.bsky.social @sasjkia.bsky.social Key recommendation on Statutory Sick Pay: - add an immediate raise to the rate - review and pathway towards a higher rate in line with wages
- Day one sick pay and lower earnings limit reforms due to be nacted in the #employmentbill are hugely welcome. It is clear though that the Government must do a wider review of sick pay, including the rate if it is serious about tackling the UK's health, productivity and living standard challenge
- Read the full report: fabians.org.uk/publication/...
- We are recruiting for a Safe Sick Pay Campaign Director and an Operations Director🥳Exciting time to be joining the team as we work to scale-up. If you or someone you know would be suitable please get in touch. Please share🙏 Full-time roles at £60-£67k centreforprogressivechange.org/careers
- Well done Belgium - something the UK could aspire to!
- Brilliant to have @alexsobel.co.uk as a public supporter of the #SafeSickPay campaign. At £3 an hour, Statutory Sick Pay is so low that many are forced to return to work whilst ill or injured - jeopardising both their physical and mental health. It's time this changed.
- Some significant news from the ONS on sick day data this morning. There has been a large fall in total sick days taken by workers, but there is more to the story... a 🧵
- The latest annual data is on the link below. It masks the true picture: Day in day out, millions of workers are going to work ill or injured, working through pain because their sick pay doesn't cover the bills. They don't get counted in these statistics. www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
- Studies by some of the UK's top experts at the @workfoundation.bsky.social @resfoundation.bsky.social @healthfoundation.bsky.social WPI Economics @citizensadvice.bsky.social @cipd.bsky.social and @ippr.org have found that the UK's low sick pay is actually making the workforce's health worse.
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View full threadOur director, Amanda Walters said “If we are serious about improving the health of the working age population, the Government needs to stop ignoring the elephant in the room and put statutory sick pay in line with the minimum wage.”
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive Change📢 Today, we release new research with @mssocietyuk.bsky.social on the experiences of 1,125 people with multiple sclerosis. It explores the barriers & enablers to accessing & staying in work with 96% of respondents stating MS impacted their ability to work. (1/10) lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
- Update - we've heard the sick pay amendment is due to be debated now next week - so watch this space! #SafeSickPay
- Baroness Ruth Lister has put down an important amendment to the employment bill that will be heard in Parliament this Tuesday. It seeks to strengthen measures on statutory sick pay (SSP) to better protect vulnerable workers [1/3] 👇
- The Government has said no worker should be forced to choose between their health and finances due to inadequate sick pay. However, even with positive changes such as day one sick pay, many workers will still be forced into this difficult choice if they rely on SSP [2/3]
- Last month, we joined civil society organisations, businesses, trade unions and affected workers to deliver a card signed by thousands of affected workers and families to No.10 We're encouraging Peers to support Baroness Lister's #sickpay amendment on Tuesday [3/3]
- Brilliant to have @fabianhamilton.bsky.social MP as a supporter of the #SafeSickPay campaign! Too many employees in Leeds are unable to pay the bills and support their families when the are sick - it is time this changed.
- At just £3/hr, Statutory Sick Pay forces people to push on at work when ill or struggle to pay the bills, causing extra stress & anxiety at an already difficult time. Thank you @daviesofbrixton.bsky.social & @mindcharity.bsky.social for highlighting the mental health impact of low SSP on workers ⬇️
- Thank you Baroness @carmensmith.bsky.social for highlighting the need to address gaps in sick pay alongside improving gender equality. SSP at £3 an hour forces low paid workers - disproportionately women - to work during illness. Raising the rate of sick pay is crucial for building gender parity.
- Baroness Lister just highlighted to @houseoflords.parliament.uk that the Government's #SickPay plans will have unintended consequences for low paid workers. Unless wording on removal of the Lower Earnings Limit is changed, some workers - especially women and disabled people - will be worse off.
- "Statutory sick pay is the lowest in Europe & the lowest paid have been excluded, meaning they cannot afford to stay home when sick. As we saw during COVID, that endangers public health." Great to hear Baroness O'Grady highlight in @houseoflords.parliament.uk today the need for higher #SickPay!
- "Imagine going through the hardest health condition [...] and coming out of that with your financial situation in ruins." Amanda Walters from #SafeSickPay to @bbclondonnews.bsky.social on why more needs to be done to raise the rate of #sickpay 🔊 Have a listen. #ukpolitics #campaigns
- Great to hear confirmation that following the #SafeSickPay campaign's calls the replacement rate for those earning Statutory Sick Pay for the first time will be 80% of their earnings 🔽
- However, it's disappointing to hear confirmation from the Government that some employees will receive a cut to their sick pay. Some of the lowest-income employees will be affected - many key workers that kept us safe during the pandemic.
- Great to hear Chris Law MP today in the Employment Rights Bill debate calling for an increase in the rate of Statutory Sick Pay. No-one can survive on £116.75 a week. April's £2 increase won't go far enough to prevent unwell workers from being forced back to work prematurely.
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View full threadGreat to hear from @chrishinchliff.bsky.social on the evidence of how increases to sick pay will lead to reduced presenteeism and improved productivity
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive ChangeWhen a young person is diagnosed with cancer they often have to stop work immediately for treatment - it is so important they get the sick pay they need Great to support Farid to hand in a petition to 10 Downing alongside @progressivechange.bsky.social making the case for better sick pay 👇🏽
- Young people with cancer often have to take time off work and if they do, they should get enough sick pay to cover their costs. Today, Farid handed a petition into 10 Downing Street with @progressivechange.bsky.social calling for reform to Statutory Sick Pay, like an increase in the amount paid.
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive ChangeAt @mindcharity.bsky.social we’re joining @progressivechange.bsky.social to call on the Prime Minister to reform sick pay so that it provides a real safety net for workers and doesn’t force people into poverty when they are unwell
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive ChangeYoung people with cancer often have to take time off work and if they do, they should get enough sick pay to cover their costs. Today, Farid handed a petition into 10 Downing Street with @progressivechange.bsky.social calling for reform to Statutory Sick Pay, like an increase in the amount paid.
- Workers can’t get well soon without #SafeSickPay. Today our coalition gave the ‘Get workers well soon’ card & petition signed by thousands to Number 10 Downing Street & DWP HQ. To strengthen Statutory Sick Pay the Government must raise the rate & stop plans to reduce sick pay for 300,000 workers.
- Fantastic to be united with many workers & organisations calling for a rise in Statutory Sick Pay including @mindcharity.bsky.social, @mssocietyuk.bsky.social, Leukaemia Care, @cleanforgood.bsky.social, @organisehq.bsky.social, @younglivesvscancer.bsky.social 🙌 📸 Sylvie Pope Photography
- Extensive media coverage today on the need for Statutory Sick Pay to rise. With MPs debating sick pay tomorrow, it’s clear that more needs to be done to protect millions of workers from being forced into work before they have recovered from illness ⬇️ www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
- “After paying taxes for my 40 year career, SSP nearly caused me financial ruin. It should rise to be more in line with the minimum wage. Ministers need to listen to the stories of the countless ordinary people affected” - Alan, working with @organisehq.bsky.social www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
- Danny @YLvsCancer, diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022, received just £96 / week in sick pay. "It left me in a lot of financial difficulty. And when you're going through something like that, you should be able to focus on getting better” www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/cost-of...
- Changes to #SickPay are coming! Whilst some are set to be positive, one third of a million people are still at risk of having their Statutory Sick Pay reduced. Find out more ⬇️
- For months we’ve been campaigning on #SafeSickPay. The Government has agreed to introduce Statutory Sick Pay from day one of illness - a huge win which will impact millions of workers across the UK.
- The Government also announced it would remove the income threshold that currently prevents workers on the lowest incomes from receiving any #SickPay. Here’s why that’s great news for some, and worrying for others:
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View full threadThe Government committed to strengthening sick pay. It must do this by raising the rate and ensuring that no one sees a reduction in their sick pay. Ask your MP to support #SafeSickPay here: buff.ly/UA7fwqL
- Was great to drop off our 'get workers well soon' card to @louisehaighmp.bsky.social last week. Thanks to the constituents who signed, with @sheffieldadvice.bsky.social and @tuc.org.uk Sheffield 🙏 Louise, please will you support raising the rate of Statutory Sick Pay in ERB Report Stage next week?
- 🚨 One third of a million employees - earning between £123 - £146 per week - are now at risk of having their sick pay reduced. Hear Amanda Walters, Director of the #SafeSickPay campaign, discuss on LBC radio why the Government must urgently change its wording in the Employment Rights Bill.👂⬇️
- Great to have @kittysull1.bsky.social MP as a supporter of the #SafeSickPay campaign 🥳 Over one in four in Scotland only get £116 a week when they are off sick, which is not enough for people to pay the bills. We look forward to working with the Government to change this.
- Brilliant to have @elainestewartmp.bsky.social as a supporter of the #SafeSickPay campaign. Too many low-income workers in Scotland, especially women, have to try and get by on £116 a week of Statutory Sick Pay when they are ill. It is time this changed.
- Grateful to @adamjogee.bsky.social MP's team for their kind welcome earlier when we dropped off our 'Get well soon' #SafeSickPay card 🙏 No one can recover quickly from illness on the current rate of £3/hour. We hope Adam will join constituents in calling for a rise in Statutory Sick Pay.
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive ChangeI'm proud to support the #SafeSickPay campaign. Thank you to @progressivechange.bsky.social for running an event in Parliament, and to my constituents that have written to me about this issue. Find out more➡️ buff.ly/43i5olN
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive ChangeThe Lead and @progressivechange.bsky.social joined forces earlier this month to urge the government the make the change needed to support some of society's most vulnerable workers. We need urgent action to ensure there's fair sick pay for all. Make the government think again!
- Great to see you in Parliament yesterday @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social! Thank you for sharing your support for the campaign to raise Statutory Sick Pay, alongside workers, businesses and organisations across the UK. #SafeSickPay
- At just £3 an hour, Statutory Sick Pay is too low to be safe. Workers with illness and injuries cannot afford to take the time off they need to rest and recover. Thank you @neilduncanjordan.bsky.social MP for signing our #SafeSickPay card and supporting the campaign to raise Statutory Sick Pay!
- Thank you for joining our drop-in yesterday @jacobcolliermp.bsky.social and for sharing your support for the campaign to raise Statutory Sick Pay! We're delighted to be working with you to ensure all workers in Burton and Uttoxeter and beyond have access to decent sick pay 👏
- Reposted by The Centre for Progressive ChangeOur Director @benrharrison.bsky.social was delighted to join a meeting organised by @progressivechange.bsky.social yesterday with @darrenpjones.bsky.social MP (Chief Secretary to HM Treasury) to discuss the benefits of raising the level of Statutory Sick Pay from £116.75 per week.
- Thank you @steveyemm-mp.bsky.social MP for engaging in the #SafeSickPay drop-in this morning, alongside workers and organisations calling for a rise in Statutory Sick Pay 🙌 It’s great to be working with you to make sure every worker in Mansfield and beyond has access to decent sick pay.
