Jonathan Ashworth comments on unions and business leaders calling for action on sick pay

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on the TUC and FSB writing to the Chancellor and calling for action on sick pay, said:

“Learning to live with Covid is the not the same as ignoring it and weakening statutory sick pay would be utterly irresponsible; forcing low paid people to make choices between their health and putting food on the table.

“Labour fought for the security of sick pay from day one from ministers when negotiating the original Covid Act two years ago.

“But even this concession important though it was, is not enough, we still need decent sick pay for all. Weakening statutory sick pay now would prove once again that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak’s are not on the side of working people.”