1.3 low paid workers (earning less than £123 per week) to be entitled to 80% sick pay from day 1!!

[ByQuaintAzureWasp]

The government has told us they want to promote growth (increase GDP) ... great. They've hammered small businesses with NI threshold reduction and Increasing employers NI %. Yesterday they announce they are going to guarantee that 1.3 million workers, earnings £123 or less per week will get sick pay from the first day of absence and this will be paid at 80% of normal pay.

How is this contributing to growing the economy and helping small and medium sized businesses?

Am I being unreasonable in thinking it's lunacy?

@hoodiemassive 12 hours a week?

OP I agree.

Aim it at full time, part time hours, for sure.

But under 12 hours a week. From day 1?

Hmmmm.

There are people who do not exist on Mumsnet, who are not interested in Mumsnet who will be applying for jobs, to keep benefits, which they must. Perhaps are successful at job, and now can take their one day off sick. And be paid.

Good people do exist. Good employer's do exist.

Piss takers also exist. But don't shout about it here.

The stories we see and hear are bloody horrific. People pushed to the brink.

But there are people who are not.

Perhaps this not a policy pointed at that objective? I would expect a range of objectives to be in play.