Government still failing to address concerns

From today who have had both vaccine doses who come into contact with a positive Coronavirus case will no longer have to self-isolate for ten days, instead being advised to take a PCR test.

Kate Dearden, Head of Research, Policy and External Relations for Community, says:

“We welcome this move, and hope this will ease some pressures on workplaces across the country who are facing staffing shortages.

However, it is important that those who need to self-isolate are still able to. This remains a concern that the government is not addressing. Missing again from government announcements was any increase in sick pay, and the crucial extension of sick pay to the self-employed.

With the U.K’s sick pay currently being amongst the lowest in Europe, this simply isn’t enough.

The low paid, the young, the vulnerable and those in insecure work will bear the brunt of this, being forced to choose between their health and their finances. No-one should face destitution in order to self-isolate.”

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