Written evidence from University of Southern Denmark (SSP0009)

Summary
The “summary of questions and answers” at the end of this document provides direct
answers to the questions raised in the Committee’s Call for Evidence.
This submission contains a historical analysis of Statutory Sick Pay and its
relationship to the Committee’s Call for Evidence.

It explains:
o why Statutory Sick Pay took its current form;
o what Statutory Sick Pay was designed to do; and
o what needs to be considered in the design of any future scheme if
Statutory Sick Pay is to be radically reformed or discontinued.

It shows the shift from National Insurance in the early 1980s:
o gives vital context; and
o reveals how many of today’s debates were present in this period.

The world has clearly changed since this time, but Statutory Sick Pay still
performs a specific role within a complex welfare state – this needs to be
understood if changes are to be fair and effective.

Thus, it is important for the Committee to consider what will be the core
purpose of Statutory Sick Pay in the future? It will need to think about (at
least) the following three aspects:
o Statutory Sick Pay as wage replacement;
o Statutory Sick Pay as protection for employers; and
o Statutory Sick Pay as a rehabilitative scheme.