A Midlands MP has urged the Government to back plans to reform statutory sick pay. Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis is part of a campaign group calling for an overhaul of the UK's sick pay system.

It is hoped that this would reduce sickness absence and cut the number of people on long-term benefits. And the group have secured a meeting with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to discuss the issue.

They are also set to meet with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, to push for the Government to back their campaign. Mr Gullis told StokeonTrentLive: "Sick pay is only 109 per week and only paid from day four of illness.

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"This means that workers on SSP receive as little as 1.10 an hour in the first week and less than 3 an hour thereafter. This has huge financial and health impacts for families in areas like Stoke-on-Trent, as the strain of coping with illness coupled with the financial hit can slow down recovery.

"Through safe sick pay, workplaces are better and incentivise people to work harder and boost productivity. Safer sick pay reforms prevent the possibility of prolonged absence as there is less chance of illnesses being exacerbated."

Speaking in the House of Commons to Mr Stride, Mr Gullis added: "Sickness and sick pay are an anchor when it comes to getting people back into work as well as helping to grow the economy. That's why the Centre for Progressive Change...

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