Statutory sick pay (No. 2)

That this House recognises that the covid-19 pandemic has highlighted that statutory sick pay (SSP) of £95.80 per week is not enough to live on, and that nearly two million low-paid part-time or zero hours workers are excluded from any sick pay at all; is gravely concerned that this situation puts them in the impossible situation of having to work while potentially unwell, thus putting their lives and those of their colleagues, customers and even patients at risk; recognises that many thousands of good employers already offer decent contractual sick pay arrangements for their workers, and believes they should not be undercut by bad employers who pass their responsibility onto taxpayers; recognises that the cost of failing to protect public health also causes severe economic damage; and supports the Don't Leave, Organise campaign in calling for Full Sick Pay Now via legislation to make it compulsory for all employers to provide six weeks of contractual sick pay at full pay, followed by an increased rate of statutory sick linked to the level of statutory maternity pay, with further steps to cover self-employed and zero hours workers.