Occupational Sick Pay Schemes

HC Deb 28 June 1971 vol 820 cc56-7W

Mr. Marks

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the working population is covered by occupational sick pay schemes where sick pay starts from the first day of illness.

Mr. Bryan

The survey of earnings carried out by my Department in April, 1970, showed that 74 per cent. of male employees aged 21 and over, and 73 per cent. of female employees aged 18 and over, were covered by occupational sick pay schemes. An inquiry carried out by the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance in 1961 found that 72 per cent. of the men and 89 per cent. of the women then covered by occupational sick pay schemes were entitled to sick pay from the first day of illness. More recent information on this point is not available.