| Labour Party MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is in the running for the leadership in the party’s election process, is critical of the government’s position regarding support for people who cannot work or who have to stay at home because of the Covid-19 virus. The benefits available she maintains to a UK person are far lower than their worker counter-parts in Europe. |
| She said: “This is a deeply worrying time for all of us. At a time like this we need to urgently come together to protect each other, no matter what it takes, but for those at greater risk and those who are already financially insecure we need to start moving mountains – and fast. “£94.25. That’s how much the government thinks workers should be paid for one whole week off because they are sick or stuck in self-isolation. “Imagine being unable to go to work because of the pandemic and relying on just £94.25 a week to pay all your bills, rent and debts, and feed yourself and your family. And that’s if you are even lucky enough to be entitled to sick pay. “Other European countries are much better at looking after their people. A worker forced into self-isolation for two weeks, receiving statutory sick pay will get : UK — £188.50. Austria £574.70. Germany £574.70 Sweden — £459.76. Netherlands — £402.29. Spain — £241.37. “That’s why myself and many others in the Labour Party have demanded an immediate increase in statutory sick pay as well as sick pay to be extended to all workers currently not entitled and the self-employed. “We urgently need to see a more far reaching financial care package from government for workers and businesses. * “Hear her 12-point plan for tackling the coronavirus crisis.“ Andy McDonald, Shadow Transport Secretary, speaking today in the Commons said: “Austerity for the past ten years was a political choice.” The Tories will be forced to revise their now already out-dated budget later in the year. There will be mounting pressure on the government to provide Statutory Sick Pay and other benefits to workers on a par with their European colleagues. President Macron in France has already declared that electric, gas and fuel bills will be suspended. There was a strong call in the Commons fron Labour MP’s during the Budget Debate today to see clear action by the government on supporting workers who are forced to stay at home or self-isolate. |
