DDWP confirms 1million low-wage workers to get sick pay boost and more flexible working changes for workers
THE Government has confirmed a major change to statutory sick pay rules that will impact millions of workers.
Previously only those earning an average of more than £123 a week were eligible for statutory sick pay.
Those who qualified received £116.75 a week if they were too ill to work.
Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "We are introducing the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation with our £240million get Britain working plan.
"Our plans to give statutory sick pay for one million of the lowest paid workers and more rights to flexible working will help keep more people in work."
She added that this will prove a decisive shift towards prevention and early intervention.
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Around 300,000 people fall out of work due to health conditions, she said.
She added: "We've got to do far more to help people stay in work and get back to work quickly.
"Your changes of returning are five times higher in the first year."
The announcement comes as part of a sweeping package of benefit cuts that were unveiled today to help cut the costs of the UK's welfare system.
Among the key measures are sweeping reform to personal independence payments (PIP) and changes to the way Universal Credit is given to the disabled, unemployed and sick.
The Government plans to make savings of up to £6billion through these measures.
This afternoon, Secretary of State for Work and Pension, Liz Kendall unveiled the details of the proposed reforms in Parliament.
At the same time, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) released its green paper outlining the changes.
This will be subject to a consultation in the coming months.
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