Campaign Win: Changes to Statutory Sick Pay in the Employment Rights Bill

We’ve been working with our friends at the Centre for Progressive Change to call for Safer Sick Pay so that when a young person is diagnosed with cancer, they get the sick pay support they’re entitled to as soon as possible. 

Today (18 December), the Employment Rights Bill gained Royal Assent, meaning it has now become law, although changes won’t begin straight away. The Bill contains key improvements to Statutory Sick Pay that will provide better financial support for workers facing illness. 

This is a huge moment for young people facing cancer who are often starting to build their careers and plan for their future when they get the news they have cancer. Many will have to stop working to get through treatment and those first steps toward independence and financial security can quickly be put on hold. Instead, they’re left relying on Statutory Sick Pay which doesn’t always cover the basics like rent and hasn’t previously been paid from the first day of sickness. 

Today’s win means that from April 2026: 

• Statutory Sick Pay will be available from day one of sickness (instead of day four which is the current standard). 

• The earnings threshold for Statutory Sick Pay will be removed, meaning everyone will be entitled to SSP, no matter how much they earn. 

• Workers will have access to the Fair Work Agency, if they’re ill and don’t get their legal entitlement to support 

We’ve also been campaigning to increase the amount of Statutory Sick Pay somebody receives and, although this wasn’t included in the Employment Rights Bill, we’ll keep working with our campaign partners, and young people with cancer, to call for higher rates of sick pay because we know it often doesn’t cover all expenses, plus the additional costs of cancer. 

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive at Young Lives vs Cancer said:  

“Many young cancer patients are at the start of their career when they hear the words “you have cancer” and often, treatment and its side effects mean they are forced to stop working. What should be an exciting time in life suddenly turns uncertain, while the financial costs mount to an average £700 extra every month on essentials like travel to hospital, food and heating.  

“We believe all young people with cancer should have access to a safe sick pay system that provides sufficient financial support so they can stay in or return to employment if and when it’s right for them. Today’s passing of the Employment Rights Bill ensures access to Statutory Sick Pay for all from day one – a fantastic win for young people with cancer, and all workers facing illness. 

“These fundamental changes provide the momentum, and we hope that this keeps building, through also raising the rate of Statutory Sick Pay to further improve financial security for young people with cancer, and many others who are unable to work through no fault of their own.” 

Mphango has been campaigning for better Statutory Sick Pay after she was forced to rely on low rates of Sick Pay when she was diagnosed with cancer aged 24. After hearing about today’s win, she shared: 

“It’s brilliant to see a change that means people can access financial support from day one. Falling ill unexpectedly already brings enough anxiety, and knowing support is there from the start can make a huge difference, especially for people facing cancer. “ 

Farid joined us in handing a petition in to 10 Downing Street earlier this year, calling for changes to Statutory Sick Pay. He says:  

“These changes to sick pay are such a huge milestone for so many people suffering from long term health conditions like cancer. Everyone involved has absolutely smashed it and I hope we can continue to make a positive difference going forwards!!”