§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people employed in his Department have claimed statutory sick pay for(a) less than one week, (b) one to three weeks, (c) four to six weeks, (d) seven to 12 weeks, (e) 13 to 20 weeks and (f) 21 to 28 weeks in each year since 1997. [148622]
§ Ruth KellyThe information is not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
The Treasury, Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise pay full pay for six months and a further six months at half pay for staff who are absent due to sickness. SSP is paid only when employees are not receiving full pay. SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks.
There are very few payments of SSP made due to the sick absence scheme we operate.