As the new financial year commences, statutory sick pay (SSP) has received an uplift in its annual rate, as is customary.
To ensure you’re equipped for any instances of employee illness, we’ve compiled the updated SSP rates for 2024/25.
It’s crucial to stay informed and adhere to these rates to fulfil your legal obligations and ensure proper compensation for your team members during periods of absence.
SSP rates 24/25
The amount you must pay an employee for each day they’re off work on sick leave (the daily rate) depends on the number of ‘qualifying days’ they work each week.
The daily SSP rates 24/25 are as follows:
| Unrounded daily rates | Number of qualifying days in week |
| £16.6785 | 7 |
| £19.4583 | 6 |
| £23.35 | 5 |
| £29.1875 | 4 |
| £38.9166 | 3 |
| £58.375 | 2 |
| £116.75 | 1 |
FAQs
How much is SSP per week?
As of April 6, 2024, the weekly rate for SSP in the UK is £116.75. This marks an increase from the previous year’s rate of £109.40 per week for the 2023/24 period.
The UK government sets this rate.
Who can claim sick leave in the UK?
In the UK, part-time or fixed-term employees can claim SSP if they meet government requirements.
To qualify, they need to prove their illness. Self-certification is allowed for up to seven days, but longer sick leave requires a doctor’s note.
Additionally, employees must adhere to any company-specific absence reporting procedures.
When does SSP officially start?
In the UK, SSP begins on the fourth day of an employee’s absence, known as the first “qualifying” day.
The first three days are considered “waiting days,” during which no pay is provided unless the employee has received SSP in the past eight weeks, including a three-day waiting period.
If an absence is three days or less, there’s no legal obligation to pay, but many companies offer sick pay from day one.
It’s important to clarify these terms in your employment policies.
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