Brits who self isolate over coronavirus will get sick pay from day ONE, Boris Johnson announces

BRITS who self-isolate over coronavirus fears will get sick pay from day one, Boris Johnson has announced today.

The PM revealed sweeping changes which mean people who have to stay at home will not have to wait four days to claim funding help.

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He revealed the news at PMQs this afternoon, saying: "Nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing."

Boris said: "I can today announce the Health Secretary will bring forward as part of emergency legislation, measures to allow the payment of statutory sick pay from the very first day you are sick instead of four days under current rules.

"I think that is the right thing."

At the moment Brits have to be ill for three days, and they can start claiming Statutory Sick Pay on the fourth day.

To qualify, they have to earn at least £118 a week – so it doesn't cover everyone.

The PM said today anyone who does not qualify for it can look into claiming Universal Credit instead.

But experts warned today that there needed to be more help for two million low-paid workers who don't earn that amount, or the five million self-employed who can't claim it.

TUC boss Frances O'Grady said: "This is an important step forward for working people. But it’s not enough.

"Two million workers still don’t earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay. They can’t afford not to work. And statutory sick pay still isn’t enough to live on."

However, Boris hinted there would be more help on the way for them in the coming days.

Boris said: "We are urgently looking at the application process to reflect on the advice on self isolation.

"We want to do everything we can to avoid penalising those who are doing the right thing."

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