HC Deb 21 June 1979 vol 968 cc662-3W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Services what steps he has taken to investigate the leak from his Department of the plan to make employers bear five rather than three days' sickness pay before social security benefits become available.

Mr. Prentice

It is not the practice to comment on speculation in the press on options which the Government may or may not be considering.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what savings in public funds would result from private firms having to bear five rather than three days' sickness pay among employees before social security benefits become available.

Mr. Prentice

There is no general statutory requirement for employers to pay employees who are absent from work because of sickness. The overall saving to public funds of withholding five instead of three days' benefit at the beginning of a spell of sickness would be about £40 million a year.