AQW 13498/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 27/01/2021
Answered On Date: 09/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether she has had any engagement with the Department for Work and Pensions on the subject of raising Statutory Sick Payment levels to provide adequate support for COVID-19 self-isolation and shielding.

Answer:

I have written to Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to request that urgent consideration be given to increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to ensure that:

individuals are properly financially supported during the pandemic and

all those who are ill or self-isolating do not continue working thereby potentially endangering the health of others and further spreading the virus.