What Are Statutory Rights And SSP Pay

What are statutory rights

Statutory rights are the basic legal protections and entitlements UK workers have under legislation. They apply regardless of what your contract says and set the minimum standard employers must meet. Common examples include the right to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage, paid holiday, rest breaks, protection against unlawful discrimination, and access to statutory payments (such as SSP) if you meet the qualifying rules. Put simply, if a right is set out in law, it is a statutory right.

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Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) at a Glance

What is SSP?

Statutory Sick Pay is a legal minimum payment employers must provide to eligible employees who are off work due to illness.

How much is SSP pay per week?

From 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026, the weekly SSP rate is £118.75.

How long does SSP last?

You can receive SSP for up to 28 weeks if you remain eligible.

When does SSP start?

SSP is typically paid from the fourth qualifying day of sickness; the first three qualifying days are “waiting days,” unless they are linked to a recent period of sickness.

Who qualifies?

Among other conditions, you must be an employee and earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL). For 2024/25 the LEL was £123 per week; HMRC publishes thresholds annually. If your earnings are below the LEL you may not qualify for SSP, but there may be other support routes.

How SSP is paid

Employers pay SSP on the normal payroll schedule for the days you would ordinarily work (your “qualifying days”). The daily amount is calculated from the weekly rate and the number of qualifying days you work in a week. Employers should pay SSP in the same way they pay wages.

If your employer says you are not eligible, you can ask for form SSP1.

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Q&A: Statutory rights and SSP

What are statutory rights?

They are legal entitlements created by Acts of Parliament and regulations. They set the baseline for pay, hours, leave, health and safety, and statutory payments such as SSP. Your contract can improve on them, but cannot lawfully reduce them.

What is the statutory rights meaning in simple terms?

“Statutory” means “set by law.” So statutory rights are rights the law gives you, regardless of your contract.

What is the definition of statutory rights under UK law?

The precise content varies by area (employment, consumer, etc.), but the principle is the same: minimum standards that cannot be contracted out of.

How much is SSP pay / SSP payment per week?

£118.75 per week for the 2025/26 tax year. Employers convert this into a daily rate based on your qualifying days.

How long does SSP last?

Up to 28 weeks, subject to eligibility.

Do the first three days get paid?

Usually not — these are waiting days. Payment starts from day 4, unless it links to a prior sickness period with waiting days already served.

I don’t earn enough for SSP — what can I do?

Ask your employer for form SSP1, then get support from The Workers Union to explore alternatives (like available benefits or contractual sick pay) and discuss your options.