As of April 2026, there have been significant changes made to statutory sick pay in the UK These changes have been implemented to ensure that employees receive fair and reasonable compensation when they are unable to work due to illness or injury Understanding these changes is crucial for both employers and employees to navigate the complexities of sick pay entitlements.
Statutory sick pay (SSP) is a form of financial support provided to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury It is paid by employers and is a legal requirement in the UK SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks and is intended to provide temporary financial assistance to employees who are unable to work due to sickness.
One of the key changes to SSP in April 2026 is the increase in the weekly rate of SSP The weekly rate of SSP is usually reviewed annually and adjusted in line with the rate of inflation In April 2026, the weekly rate of SSP has increased to £100 per week, up from £96.35 in the previous year This increase is intended to provide employees with a more reasonable level of compensation when they are off sick.
Another important change to SSP in April 2026 is the extension of the waiting period before SSP can be paid Previously, employees were required to wait for four days before they could start receiving SSP However, as of April 2026, the waiting period has been extended to seven days This means that employees will need to be off work due to sickness for at least seven days before they can start receiving SSP.
The extension of the waiting period has been introduced to reduce the number of short-term absences and prevent abuse of the SSP system statutory sick pay april 2026. By requiring employees to be off work for a longer period before they can start receiving SSP, the government aims to discourage employees from taking unnecessary sick leave.
In addition to these changes, there have been updates to the eligibility criteria for SSP To be eligible for SSP, employees must now earn at least £120 per week, up from the previous threshold of £116 per week This change is intended to ensure that only employees with a reasonable level of income are entitled to receive SSP, preventing abuse of the system by employees who do not meet the minimum earnings threshold.
Employers are also required to keep accurate records of SSP payments and deductions, including the dates that SSP is paid and the amount paid to each employee Failure to keep accurate records can result in penalties and fines for employers, so it is important to ensure that all SSP payments are recorded correctly.
One of the most significant changes to SSP in April 2026 is the introduction of a new self-certification system for employees Under this system, employees will be required to self-certify their illness or injury and provide evidence of their inability to work This evidence can include a doctor’s note, a medical certificate, or a letter from a healthcare professional.
The self-certification system aims to streamline the process of claiming SSP and reduce the administrative burden on employers By allowing employees to self-certify their illness or injury, employers can quickly verify their absence and start paying SSP without the need for lengthy medical assessments or paperwork.
Overall, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 are designed to make the system fairer and more efficient for both employees and employers By increasing the weekly rate of SSP, extending the waiting period, updating the eligibility criteria, and introducing a new self-certification system, the government aims to ensure that employees receive the financial support they need when they are unable to work due to sickness.
In conclusion, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 represent a significant shift in how sick pay is administered in the UK Employers and employees must familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure that they understand their rights and responsibilities under the new system By providing fair and reasonable compensation to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury, the changes to SSP aim to support those in need and reduce abuse of the system.