As the turn of a new year approaches, it’s important to stay informed about any upcoming changes that may affect you or your employees One such change that will take effect in April 2026 is the alteration to statutory sick pay (SSP) regulations in the UK These changes aim to provide better support for those who are unable to work due to illness or injury Let’s take a closer look at what these changes entail and how they may impact you.
Under the current system, employees can claim SSP if they are unable to work due to illness for four or more days in a row Employers are required to pay SSP at a rate of £96.35 per week for up to 28 weeks However, starting in April 2026, there will be several key changes to the way SSP is calculated and paid out.
One of the most significant changes is the increase in the weekly rate of SSP From April 2026, employees who are eligible for SSP will receive a higher rate of £100 per week This increase aims to provide workers with a more adequate level of financial support while they are off sick.
Additionally, the qualifying conditions for SSP will be amended in April 2026 Currently, employees must earn at least £120 per week to be eligible for SSP However, under the new regulations, this threshold will be increased to £125 per week This change ensures that only those with a regular income will be entitled to SSP, preventing abuse of the system.
Moreover, the waiting period for SSP payments will be reduced from four days to three days statutory sick pay april 2026. This means that employees will be entitled to SSP from the first day that they are unable to work due to illness, providing them with support sooner and reducing the financial burden of being off sick.
Another notable change is the introduction of a new SSP cap Currently, there is no limit to the amount of SSP that can be paid out to an employee However, starting in April 2026, there will be a cap on SSP payments at a maximum of 28 weeks This change aims to prevent long-term abuse of the SSP system and encourage employees to return to work as soon as they are able.
Employers will also have new reporting requirements under the revised SSP regulations From April 2026, employers will be required to report SSP payments to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in real-time through their payroll system This change aims to improve transparency and compliance with SSP regulations, ensuring that employees receive the support they are entitled to.
In light of these changes, it is important for employers to update their policies and procedures to reflect the new SSP regulations This includes informing employees of their entitlement to SSP, updating payroll systems to reflect the new rates and thresholds, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
Overall, the changes to statutory sick pay in April 2026 aim to provide better support for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury By increasing the rate of SSP, amending the qualifying conditions, reducing the waiting period, introducing a cap on payments, and implementing new reporting requirements, the UK government hopes to improve the effectiveness and fairness of the SSP system.
As we approach April 2026, it is crucial for employers and employees alike to be aware of these changes and how they may impact them By staying informed and updating policies and procedures accordingly, employers can ensure that their employees receive the support they need when they are unable to work due to illness.