Coronavirus: Millions face ‘impossible choice’ if outbreak gets worse, govt warned

The government is being urged to act to prevent millions of workers being faced with an “impossible choice” if the coronavirus outbreak gets worse.

Citizens Advice says more than five million self-employed workers and at least 1.5 million others in low-income jobs could be pushed into financial hardship because of the government’s advice to self-isolate.

The charity said that some may resort to ignoring such advice and continuing to work while having COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

It comes after the government unveiled its plan to tackle COVID 19, as the number of cases in the UK passed 50.

According to the blueprint, up to one in five workers could be off sick during a coronavirus peak.

Citizens Advice is now calling on the government to “promote and clarify” people’s rights on sick pay, in particular for agency workers, those on zero-hours contracts and those who have to self-isolate.

It also wants Downing Street to ensure that people can quickly access financial support if they are not eligible for statutory sick pay, for example if they are self-employed.

Dame Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice chief executive, said: “No one should fear getting ill or risk their health because they won’t be able to pay their bills, but this will be the reality for millions of workers if the coronavirus outbreak worsens.

“Problems with our system for sick pay are long-standing.

“Even for those eligible for statutory sick pay, at just £400 a month it may not be enough to cover essential living costs, leaving them with the impossible choice of ignoring advice to self isolate or continuing to work while unwell.

“The government must clarify sick pay rights for workers and ensure the benefits system can respond flexibly so that people have enough to make ends meet if they do fall ill.”

When asked what the government would be doing to make sure that those who are ill do not suffer financial hardship, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “all options” would remain under review.

“On the issue of statutory sick pay and the risks that the workforce could conceivably run in that reasonable worst case scenario, we’re going to keep all options under review but we are well aware of the issue,” he said.

In the Commons on Tuesday, Business Secretary Alok Sharma told MPs that workers affected by coronavirus who are not eligible for sick pay may be able to claim Universal Credit instead.

He added that they may also be able to access employment and support allowance.

The issue has been raised in recent days by the GMB and Unison unions.

The latter has written to Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, calling on ministers to guarantee all staff get statutory sick pay as soon as they self-isolate.

General secretary Dave Prentis said employers should recognise this as sick leave and provide wages from the off.

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The union is also calling on employers to pay their workers regardless of how much they earn or what kind of contract they are on.

The GMB has called for a statutory right to normal pay during self-isolation, by amending the Employment Rights Act 1996.

National secretary Rehana Azam said: “Statutory sick pay is woefully inadequate at the best of times, but the outbreak of Covid-19 has highlighted the risks posed to workers and the public at large.

“Ministers already have the emergency powers to stem this crisis by forcing employers to pay full sick pay from day one – and to offer financial assistance to smaller companies where required.”

Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency – Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Millions face ‘impossible choice’ if outbreak gets worse, govt warned