§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the legislative and administrative changes, and proposals for change to the statutory sick pay scheme since its introduction.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe following legislative and administrative changes have been made to statutory sick pay (SSP) since it was introduced in April 1983:—
April 1984:
- Uprating of SSP rates.
March 1985:
- Restriction on which days can be treated as qualifying days for SSP.
April 1985:
- Uprating of SSP rates;
- Introduction of compensation for national insurance contributions employers pay on SSP.
April 1986:
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- Uprating of SSP rates;
- Entitlement to SSP increased from 8 weeks in a tax year to 28 weeks in a period of incapacity for work;
- The linking period between two periods of incapacity for work increased from 2 to 8 weeks;
- Certain periods of entitlement to SSP with a previous employer to be taken into account by new employer when determining maximum SSP entitlement;
- Introduction of Leaver's Statement;
- Amendment of SSP Exclusion and Transfer Forms;
- Days of entitlement to SSP deemed as days of entitlement to sickness benefit for invalidity benefit purposes;
- SSP treated as earnings for Attachment of Earnings Act.
April 1987:
- Uprating of SSP rates;
- Abolition of middle rate of SSP;
- Liability for payment of SSP transferred to Secretary of State where employer bankrupt or defaults;
- Minor procedural changes to take account of introduction of Statutory Maternity Pay;
April 1988:
- Uprating of SSP rates.
April 1989:
- Uprating of SSP rates;
- Simplification/Amalgamation of SSP Forms.
The following changes are proposed from April 1990:—
Uprating of SSP rates, including earnings band between rates: Introduction of self-certificate form for optional use by employees and employers.