As we approach April 2026, many employees and employers are looking ahead to the changes in statutory sick pay that will come into effect Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury It is a legal requirement in the UK, and the amount and rules surrounding SSP can change from year to year.
In April 2026, there are several key changes to statutory sick pay that will impact both employees and employers These changes are designed to provide more support to those who are unable to work due to illness or injury, while also ensuring that businesses are not overly burdened by the costs of providing SSP.
One of the key changes to SSP in April 2026 is the increase in the rate of SSP Currently, the standard rate of SSP is £96.35 per week However, from April 2026, this rate will rise to £101.24 per week This increase is designed to provide more financial support to employees who are off work due to illness or injury, helping them to meet their financial obligations while they are unable to work.
In addition to the increase in the rate of SSP, there are also changes to the rules surrounding eligibility for SSP Currently, employees are not entitled to SSP for the first three days of sickness absence However, from April 2026, employees will be entitled to SSP from the first day of sickness absence statutory sick pay april 2026. This change is designed to provide more immediate support to employees who are off work due to illness or injury, helping them to cope with the financial impact of being unable to work.
Employers will also see changes to their responsibilities when it comes to SSP in April 2026 Currently, employers are required to pay SSP to employees for up to 28 weeks of sickness absence However, from April 2026, this period will increase to 52 weeks This means that employers will be responsible for providing SSP to employees for a longer period of time, which could have an impact on their finances and resources.
To help businesses cope with the increased financial burden of providing SSP for a longer period of time, the government has announced that it will introduce a new SSP rebate scheme in April 2026 This scheme will allow employers to claim back some of the costs of providing SSP to employees, helping to alleviate some of the financial pressure on businesses.
It is important for both employees and employers to be aware of these changes to SSP in April 2026, as they will have a significant impact on both parties Employees who are off work due to illness or injury will benefit from increased financial support and more immediate access to SSP, while employers will need to ensure that they are prepared for the increased costs and responsibilities that come with providing SSP for a longer period of time.
In conclusion, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 are designed to provide more support to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury, while also helping businesses to cope with the financial burden of providing SSP By being aware of these changes and understanding how they will impact both employees and employers, we can ensure that everyone is prepared for the new rules surrounding SSP in April 2026.