New schemes designed to help people self-isolating during the pandemic will do little to stop the spread of Covid-19 while “measly” statutory sick pay remains at £96 per week, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
The pilot programmes, which involve mental health support and space away from overcrowded housing, are “tinkering around the edges” of what is needed to support people forced to choose between staying home and earning a living, Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC said.
“No one should be forced to choose between doing the right thing and being plunged into hardship,” she told The Big Issue. “But it has been abundantly clear since the start of the pandemic that our measly statutory sick pay isn’t enough to live on.
“This pilot scheme does nothing to address the fact that too many are still going without the financial support they need to self-isolate.
“Instead of tinkering around the edges of self-isolation support, ministers must urgently raise statutory sick pay to at least the real living wage. And they must ensure that everyone has access to it.”
Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.