Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): What’s Changing in 2026 and What You Need to Know

Key Changes Effective From 6 April 2026

• SSP to be paid from day one

Employees will now be entitled to SSP from the first day they miss work due to illness, rather than the fourth day as is the current rules.

• No earning threshold to qualify for SSP:

Previously, an employee needed to earn at least £125 per week to qualify for SSP. The changes mean that everyone will receive Statutory Sick Pay from April 2026, regardless of how much they earn.

• New SSP Rate

From April 2026, SSP will be paid at the lower amount of either £123.25 OR 80% of their normal earnings. For workers whose pay varies week to week, this will be an average of the previous 8 weeks’ pay.

What Employers Need to Do Now