Sick pay call for workers

One in five people forced to self-isolate and unable to work from home have received no sick pay or wages, a new study suggests.

The TUC warned that many workers will be plunged into hardship in the coming months if they only rely on statutory sick pay and the union organisation called on ministers to urgently increase financial support for people who have to self-isolate.

The survey of 2,200 people suggested that twofifths of workers would go into arrears if their income dropped to £96 a week – the current level of statutory sick pay – rising to almost half of disabled workers.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Ministers must stop turning a blind eye to this problem and raise sick pay to at least the real living wage of £320 a week."