As we enter April 2026, changes to statutory sick pay in the UK have come into effect These changes aim to provide better support for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a payment that employers are required to make to employees who are off work due to illness for four or more consecutive days It is important for both employers and employees to understand how these changes will impact them.
One of the key changes to SSP in April 2026 is an increase in the statutory sick pay rate The rate has been increased to £119.30 per week, up from £95.85 per week This increase aims to provide better financial support for employees who are off work due to illness, helping them to cover their living expenses while they are unable to work Employers need to ensure that they are paying their employees the correct amount of SSP in line with the new rate.
In addition to the increase in the SSP rate, changes have also been made to the eligibility criteria for SSP Previously, employees were required to earn at least £120 per week to be eligible for SSP However, this threshold has been removed in April 2026, meaning that employees will be eligible for SSP regardless of how much they earn This change aims to provide greater support for employees who are on lower incomes and may struggle to meet the previous earnings threshold.
Another important change to SSP in April 2026 is the introduction of a new waiting period for SSP Previously, employees were entitled to SSP from the fourth day of their illness or injury However, in April 2026, a new waiting period of three days has been introduced This means that employees will not be entitled to SSP for the first three days of their absence from work due to illness or injury statutory sick pay april 2026. Employers need to ensure that they are implementing this waiting period correctly and paying SSP from the fourth day onwards.
Employers also need to be aware of their responsibilities when it comes to SSP They are required to keep records of SSP payments made to employees, as well as the reasons for absence Employers must also provide employees with a written statement of SSP payments made each time they are paid Failure to comply with these requirements could result in penalties from HM Revenue and Customs.
Employees also play a role in ensuring that they receive the SSP payments they are entitled to They must inform their employer as soon as possible if they are unable to work due to illness or injury Employees may be required to provide evidence of their illness, such as a doctor’s note, in order to qualify for SSP It is important for employees to understand their rights and obligations when it comes to SSP.
Overall, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 aim to provide better support for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury The increase in the SSP rate, the removal of the earnings threshold, and the introduction of a new waiting period all aim to provide greater financial support for employees during periods of illness Employers and employees need to be aware of these changes and ensure that they are complying with the new requirements for SSP.
In conclusion, understanding the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 is essential for both employers and employees By staying informed and aware of these changes, employers can ensure that they are providing the correct amount of SSP to their employees, while employees can ensure that they are receiving the support they are entitled to during periods of illness It is important for both parties to communicate effectively and work together to ensure that SSP payments are made accurately and on time.