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10 September, 2020 Open access

Government’s NHS Test and Trace system risks failure unless ministers fix ‘gaping hole’ in sick pay safety net

TUC calls for government to ensure that everyone has access to sick pay and raise the basic rate to at least the real living wage of £320 a week

The government’s NHS Test and Trace system risks failure unless ministers fix the 'gaping hole' in the sick pay safety net, the TUC has said today.

With new polling highlighting that more than 4 in 10 workers would be plunged into financial hardship if forced to self-isolate for two weeks on statutory sick pay (SSP), and almost half of those earning below £29,000 unable to survive, the TUC says the findings highlight how many workers will be left without a financial 'safety net' in the event of a second wave of coronavirus infections or a spate of local lockdowns.

While acknowledging the introduction of the new self-isolation payment for those on certain benefits, the TUC says that it is set too low to make a difference and that the lack of decent sick pay is a 'massive flaw' in the government’s Test and Trace programme, with workers forced to choose between following health advice and paying their bills.

As a result, the TUC calls on the government to -

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said today -

'We all want NHS Test and Trace to work. It’s crucial for stopping the spread of COVID-19 and for getting our economy back on its feet.

But the lack of decent sick pay puts everything at risk. Asking workers to self-isolate on £96 a week is not viable – especially when many don’t have savings to fall back on.

We can’t have a situation where people are forced to choose between their health and paying their bills.

Employers must do their civic duty and make sure workers can self-isolate on full pay. But where bosses can’t or won’t, the government must step in.

Unless ministers fix this gaping hole in our safety net Britain will be ill-prepared for a second wave of infections or more local lockdowns.

The government must ensure that everyone has access to sick pay and raise the basic rate to at least the real living wage of £320 a week.'

For more information, see Government’s NHS Test and Trace system risks failure without adequate sick pay, warns union body.