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MPs' plan to boost statutory sick pay would end ‘disgrace’ against female workers, TUC says
A demonstrator protests about the government’s sick pay allowance of £94-per-week for freelance and self-employed workers during the coronavirus outbreak on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, March 23, 2020

UNIONS have welcomed calls by MPs for an increase in statutory sick pay (SSP), saying it is a “disgrace” that workers lack proper support while too ill to work, with women worst affected.

The work and pensions committee called for a “modest” SSP increase from £109.40 a week to £172.48, in line with statutory maternity pay, adding it should also be made more widely available.

It added that of all the proposals for increasing SSP this would strike the best balance between business needs and supporting workers.

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