Decision to row back on sick pay commitment “could not come at a worse time” says Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice has responded to news that the government will drop its commitment to abolishing the lower income limit on sick pay.

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Today’s announcement is a U-turn on the government’s commitment to improve sick pay and support people on low incomes.

“With cases of coronavirus rising and many needing to self-isolate, it could not come at a worse time.

“We’d urge the government to think again. Otherwise many will continue to face an impossible choice: work when ill or fall behind on their bills.”

Notes to editors

  1. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  2. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.

  3. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

  4. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.

  5. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  6. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk

  7. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 to talk in Welsh.

  8. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  9. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.