Labour pledges to improve sick pay benefits for low-income workers

Labour pledges to improve sick pay benefits for low-income workers

 Labour will scrap the lower earnings threshold for statutory sick pay and make workers eligible from day one of falling ill.Labour pledges to improve sick pay benefits for low-income workers

Labour has unveiled its first major general election offering on workers’ rights with a pledge to end discrimination on sick pay facing low-paid employees.

Just 24 hours after wooing more than 120 business leaders with their economic plans, the Labour leadership is seeking to calm union concerns that they will water down their promises on workers’ rights.

The intervention in sick pay will help an estimated 1.5 million people who are not covered by the rules and either have to work through illness or stay at home without financial support.

The move is part of a delicate balancing act by Sir Keir Starmer to show that he is on the side of both business and working people. His shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves on Tuesday promised to deliver “a government that is pro-worker and pro-business, in the knowledge that each depends upon the success of the other”.

Ms. Reeves’s plan

And Ms Reeves’s plan will mean those earning less than the £123 a week earnings threshold, who are currently ineligible, will be able to claim statutory sick pay. Labour will also let workers claim the payment immediately, scrapping a four-day waiting period before they can access it.

Ahead of officially unveiling the plans on Wednesday, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “Britain is stuck in a sick doom loop. Low-paid and insecure workers—most of them women—are forced to work through illness or go without financial support when sick.

“The Tories have failed to fix Britain’s broken sick pay system, and this is adding to NHS backlogs, hitting productivity and harming the working people who keep our country moving.

“Labour will be laser-focused on tackling the problem of sickness at work, strengthening statutory sick pay, and scrapping the lower earnings limit.”

“The New Deal for Working People is Labour’s plan to make work pay and deliver employment protections fit for a modern economy.”

Keir Starmer has denied watering down policies in the New Deal for Working People
Keir Starmer has denied watering down policies in the New Deal for Working People (PA)

plan to deliver on the New Deal for Working People

The first full week of Labor’s campaign was used to unveil more details. You will find out how they plan to deliver on the New Deal for Working People.

In government, Labour has pledged to tackle issues that affect working families. They aim to turn the page on 14 years of Tory neglect.

Before the election was called, Sir Keir and his shadow cabinet held a meeting with union bosses. At this gathering, they were compelled to endorse the workers’ rights package.

Sir Keir denied watering down policies in areas such as zero-hours contracts, parental leave and sick pay. The package was reported to go through a consultation process with businesses. This could potentially delay or limit its impact.

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, stated that the change was long overdue. Everyone should have access to sick pay.

He added, “But many low-paid workers are forced to go without sick pay when they are ill.” This is a scandal and totally counterproductive.

If people cannot afford to stay home when they’re sick, they may have to go to work. By going to work while sick, they put others at risk with their infections.

“Strengthening sick pay is good for workers, businesses, and public health.”

Ms. Reeves unveiled the backing of 121 business leaders for Labour. She promised to maintain the party’s focus on delivering for working people.

In a speech in Derby, the shadow chancellor said: “Under Keir’s leadership, the Labour Party has changed.” “This gives us the opportunity to change our country for the better.”

government that supports workers

To offer a government that supports workers. Offer a government that supports businesses. Both are essential for each other’s success.

“This Labour Party understands that business success is crucial to good jobs, and good work is crucial to successful businesses.”

Sir Malcolm Walker, the founder of Iceland, is one of the notable signatories to the Labour endorsement letter. Before this, he signed a similar letter backing Conservative economic policy before the 2019 general election.

Sir Malcolm’s son, Richard Walker, is the managing director of the supermarket chain. He previously sought a Conservative seat in the election. Walker also signed the letter.

Sir Keir and Wes Streeting will use a visit to the West Midlands to make this promise: We’ll clear the waiting list of patients who have been waiting for more than 18 weeks. Within five years, this will be achieved: The waiting list of patients who have been waiting for more than 18 weeks will be cleared.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting made the following statement: “The last Labour government left a “golden inheritance.” The Conservatives destroyed it over a period of 14 years.

“Their neglect, incompetence, and underinvestment in the NHS have left millions of people waiting in pain and agony.”

“given up on the NHS” with “no plan to turn this crisis around.”

He accused Rishi Sunak of having “given up on the NHS” with “no plan to turn this crisis around.”.

“Patients deserve solutions, not scapegoats,” Mr. Streeting added.

If it wins the general election, Labour says it will initially focus on reducing treatment backlogs, currently at 7.54 million.

The party claims the figure could rise to $10 million if the Conservatives are in office for another five years.

Labor’s first step would be to create an additional 40,000 appointments, scans, and operations each week during evenings and weekends.

It also vowed to double the number of scanners in a bid to diagnose patients earlier.

Sir Keir stated: “Putting the NHS back on its feet is important to me.” “Making the NHS fit for the future is a personal goal,” he added.

The family trait has remained unchanged for 14 years of Conservative rule. One of my five missions is to reverse it.

“The first step of my Labour government will be to cut NHS waiting lists, clearing the Tory backlog.”

Read more:

Understanding Mandatory National Service

Implications of the 2024 General Election

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