Low Sick Pay Forces Thousands to Choose Between Health and Bills

 

 

On Friday 7th of February, campaigners called on Members of Parliament to strengthen United Kingdom’s sick pay system as 1.3 million people are at risk of lower Statutory Sick Pay across the country and face impossible choices between paying bills, delaying medical treatment, or risking worsening mental health due to inadequate statutory sick pay. The campaigners working with the Centre for Progressive Change are urging the Government to back crucial amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which is expected to reach the Report Stage on or around 24th February. 

The proposed amendments would:

● Increase statutory sick pay to at least 80% of the National Living Wage, phased in over five years.

● Remove the Lower Earnings Limit, extending eligibility to ensure that 1.3 million currently excluded employees receive support.

● Establish a higher replacement rate of at least 80% of income for low-paid workers, providing an adequate safety net during illness. 

To raise awareness and build public support, campaigners have called on MPs to back these vital reforms. 

It was great to be in West Midlands, mainly in Birmingham and Smethwick to speak to organisations and individuals who are supportive of the Safe Sick Pay campaign and working together as part of the Day of Action featuring the delivery of ‘Get Well Soon’ cards to MPs; as well as coordinated letter-writing campaigns and social media outreach by local members and organisations. 

At £116.75 per week, the UK’s sick pay rate is among the lowest in industrialised nations. Although set to rise by just £2 in April 2025, analysis by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University highlights the stark reality: a full-time worker, cohabiting with a partner on an average UK salary, would still lose £419 in net income for each week of illness — placing them below the minimum acceptable standard of living.

Campaigners stress that without urgent reform, millions of workers will remain vulnerable to financial hardship when they fall ill. They are urging MPs to act now to ensure that no worker is forced to choose between their health and making ends meet.

Amanda Walters, Director of the Centre for Progressive Change, said: “Far too many workers are forced to push through illness because they can’t afford to take time off to recover. This isn’t sustainable. We’re calling on MPs to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by the Employment Rights Bill to reform our broken sick pay system and provide workers with the support they need.” 

Workers on low sick pay often face devastating choices. Recent research by Citizens Advice found that full-time employees are at the highest risk of being unable to cover essential costs after prolonged illness. 

Clare, a cancer patient, explained: “I had to make a choice — try to survive on a sum that barely covered my council tax, let alone my mortgage and bills, or combine work with an intense treatment schedule. I used up my annual leave and put my recovery at serious risk.”

Roxana Khan-Williams, Head of Campaigns at Organise — “The UK’s statutory sick pay system is failing workers when they need it most. At just £116.75 a week, it falls far short of covering basic living costs, forcing many to choose between their health and income. Workers are going hungry, skipping rent, or returning to work sick because they can’t survive on such a low amount. One warehouse worker told us they pushed through illness, risking their health and their colleagues, just to keep the lights on. A care worker shared how they had to rely on food banks after catching the flu. These stories are not exceptions; they are the reality for millions.”

About the Safe Sick Pay campaign:

The Safe Sick Pay campaign is a coalition of organisations and individuals advocating for reform to the UK’s sick pay regime. The coalition believes that safe workplaces are essential for recovery and that workers should never have to choose between health and financial stability. The campaign is coordinated by the Centre for Progressive Change. 

About the Employment Rights Bill:

As of 27th January 2025, the Employment Rights Bill is progressing through the UK Parliament. Introduced on 10th October 2024, it has completed the Public Bill Committee stage and is expected to reach the Report Stage on 24th February.

You can take action by writing to your MP. Click HERE to write to them.

The importance of small wins - Tiny changes, remarkable values!

 

Reflecting on the book I once read, Atomic Habits, and also reflecting on my long Community Organising life, the importance of small wins should not be taken lightly. Going for small wins;  celebrating those small wins; and using those small wins as spring board to gain added impetus to do more is vital to win big.

We often want to see a big change all at once and focus only on big things. How about developing a habit of going for small wins every now and then and seeing the compound effect through the process? Our habits are dependent on us. They could be for us or against us. What is important is to make them for us and make them consistently for us.

‘The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us; whereas the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.’- excerpts from Atomic Habits

Time to Get Out and Vote – Democracy in Action

 

United Kingdom goes to the polls on July 4th. 

Since the election was called by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, I have had the opportunity to travel to some parts of the United Kingdom to discuss with folks about the election, their expectations and what could be done to support those who have not registered to vote. I also worked on voter registration drive in places in West Midlands and North West England.  As there are many people who are excited about the opportunity the election could bring, there are still others who told me they may not even vote.

One of my experiences is worth sharing. Whilst speaking to somebody, the person said they wouldn’t vote. I asked why they were not going to vote. They said, ‘these leaders are the same; the parties are the same; they are all the same; hence I’m not voting.’ My follow up question was, ‘when was the last time you voted?’ They replied, “it has been a while since I voted.”  I thus politely said, ‘are you all the same then?’ ‘Oh no,’ they said.  That conversation was interesting on many grounds. I hope the person will vote for what they believe in; as I do.

Coming back to the election, the ball is now in the hands of the British public and all those who are eligible to vote and decide who should lead them for the coming 5 years. Vital to participate in the election. There is no need for apathy. Apathy to participate in local democracy is not the way forward. If we want to see our voices heard; if we want to see strong civil societies that can hold the state and the market to account; if we want to see the issues we campaign for to be implemented; then it is important to get out and vote. It is important to remember that we can only win through actions. Our actions on the election day is mostly associated with our votes. Our anger could only be addressed through actions. Our hopes could only be a reality through actions.  The action we need to take is to get out and vote on the election day; and also encourage others to vote. 

Worthwhile to remember that many people around the world die to get the right to vote. Many others suffer in the hands of brutal dictators and their agents because they want to have a say in their countries’ affairs. We may not like politics but our lives are affected by politics. Hence there is a need to engage actively in local democracy and vote for what matters for us. If we don’t engage locally and use our democratic rights, we must accept what others have voted for. By the end of the day, the voice of the majority rules even if we do not agree.

Avoid apathy and get out and vote! Your Vote is Your Voice! We may not get what we vote for, but it is our chance to exercise our democratic rights. 

July 4th is the day!

The Global Refugee Forum – time for meaningful participation of Refugees

 

As the Global Refugee Forum takes place between 13 - 15 December 2023 in Switzerland, it is vital that we have meaningful participation of refugees that can shape the work and the next steps following the forum. We need to see  practical next steps and delivery of pledges now more than ever.

The Global Refugee Crisis is getting worse by the hour. Lots of people forced to leave their homes searching for homes and safety. Many more displaced internally across the globe. By mid 2023, we had 110 Million forcibly displaced people worldwide, out of which 36.4 Million are refugees. There are also 62.5 million internally displaced people that need support now more than ever.

The persecution of people for their religion, race, political opinions, sexual orientation and other reasons and their forced displacement from their homes continues at an alarming rate. It is extremely heartbreaking and deeply worrying to see fellow humans denied the right to home and decent life at this day and age.

According to the UNHCR 69% of refugees live in countries neighbouring their countries of origin. These countries need to be given support to deliver better welcome.

‪As the International Community gathers in Geneva for the Global Refugee Forum, we need to see more action than words. We need leaders ready to go beyond the usual good words and soundbites. We need to see honest conversations and solutions to the crises with meaningful participation of refugees that take part in the forum. The Global Refugee Forum should not be only a talking show. We need to walk the talk and do that now more than ever. We have had many forums, assemblies, conferences, summits, workshops and seminars on how to address the worsening Global Refugee crises, yet the number of those needing protection keeps going up. Time to reimagine the way we address the challenges; and it is vital the voices of those with lived experiences are taken seriously, with open hearts and readiness to change the course. We often see promises that are unfulfilled and even forgotten. We need practical leadership from the international community, especially from the body responsible for refugees protection, UNHCR and its leaders.

Leaders in the Global North have to show leadership, willingness and practical commitment to address the worsening crises. What matters most is action and that action should be now!

There is also a need to have more legal routes for refugee resettlement around the world. The Community Sponsorship of Refugees scheme spearheaded by the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative has grown, but we need more and more countries to adapt the scheme and extend hands. The launch of Welcome Corps- Private Sponsorship of Refugees in the USA is an encouraging step and very promising. There are many promising Refugee Sponsorship Schemes in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. There are Community Sponsorship  initiatives and pilot works in countries like Argentina and Brazil. The Refugee Sponsorship Scheme in Canada has a lot to offer.  We need to see more and more countries adapting the scheme or finding their own.

We also need to see more complementary pathways to extend welcome and avail more legal and safe routes to support those stranded in camps around the world or those taking risks and going through treacherous journeys.

We need to also see more and more businesses, philanthropies, trusts, and foundations supporting the initiative so that we can scale up and deliver better and fast.

It is time for meaningful participation of refugees; time for action not words; time for reimagining the refugee welcome movement. The time is now!

Congrats to TELCO - Organising as the work of Head, Hands and Heart!

 

On 29th November TELCO, Citizen UK’s oldest chapter celebrated its belated 25th anniversary in the presence of 1129 community leaders that came from 89 institutions from across East London.  The anniversary showcased stories, music, reflection and above all a great sense of togetherness. What stood out for me was the leadership development since it last celebrated its anniversary. New, diversified and energetic leaders taking charge and running the assembly and celebration with grace and power.

The TELCO anniversary reflected on the origins of the Living Wage campaign;  its growth ever since and why we should keep pushing boundaries to get as many organisations as possible and encourage them to pay the Real Living Wage. It also showed the stories of the citizens for sanctuary campaign, especially that of strangers into citizens campaign and why Citizens UK is still working round the clock to see an immigration system that can deliver welcome.

In short, what the assembly showed was what Marshall Ganz puts organising to be. Ganz often says,  “through organising, you develop leaders, you build organisations, and you also solve problems.”

TELCO, through its organising has achieved all what Ganz and other great organisers and scholars teach. TELCO has led the way and it is down to the other chapters of Citizens UK across the country to follow suit and keep the good fight going.

Once again, congrats to TELCO. Please keep sharing the good and inspirational stories of the many good fights TECLO and Citizens UK have fought over the past 3 decades to inspire many organisers and community leaders.

Well done to Emmanuel Gotora and team Citizens UK 🙌🏿