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Changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay
The Government has announced changes to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay which will benefit more than one million employees across the UK as part of efforts to grow the economy.
Through the Employment Rights Bill, Government is strengthening Statutory Sick pay by removing the Lower Earnings Limit so that the safety net of sick pay is available to those who need it most. We are also removing the Waiting Period so that Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness absence.
As part of the Government amendments to the Employment Rights Bill tabled this week, it was announced low earners who find themselves ill will either receive 80%of their normal weekly earnings or the flat rate of Statutory Sick Pay (which will be £118.75 per week from April) – whichever is lower.
This means some of the lowest earners will be up to £100 better off per week, compared to the current system and employees will be able to take the time off work that they need to recover, so they can get better and remain in work rather than risk quitting altogether.
This new percentage rate strikes the right balance between providing financial security for employees who fall ill, and the cost to businesses – all while retaining the incentives for people to return to work.
More information about the change to Statutory Sick Pay is available on GOV.UK, as well as the Government’s response to the Statutory Sick Pay consultation.
Deadline to fill National Insurance gaps to increase State Pension
People have until 5 April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record dating back to 6 April 2006. After this date, payments can only be made for the previous six tax years.
The quickest and easiest way for people to check a State Pension forecast and find out if they can benefit from paying to fill NI gaps is by checking their NI record on GOV.UK or in the HMRC app. Guidance on how to download the HMRC app is on GOV.UK.
For anyone who is unable to get through on Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) phoneline ahead of the deadline, there is an online call back request form. This will enable people to request a call back about paying voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in State Pension entitlement between 2006 and 2018.
The form will be available on the Contact the Future Pension Centre page on GOV.UK. DWP will call back to discuss payment of voluntary National Insurance contributions. When a person submits a request, a message will appear on their screen to confirm that their request has been sent to the DWP Pension Centre. This will normally be within 8 weeks of submitting a request, there is no need to make further contact with DWP or HMRC.
Move to Universal Credit update
Tax credits are closing on 5 April 2025, and customers must respond to their migration notices by their deadline date to continue to receive financial support from the Government. DWP continue to increase the number of migration notices being sent to customers receiving ESA, with all notices due to be sent by the end of 2025.
The department recognises that some tax credit customers may wait until their deadline to claim Universal Credit. For those customers who have a deadline date close to the tax credit closure date, we want to ensure that we provide as much support as possible and are therefore opening our Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline on Saturday 5 April, to answer any customer questions, telephone: 0800 169 0328*.
The end of March 2025 marks the closure of the Universal Credit Programme and its transition from delivering ‘Move to UC’ from a Programme-led approach to a ‘business as usual’ operation.
* 0800 phone numbers are free to call from mobiles and landlines.