Coronavirus: Early years to benefit from renewed Sick Pay Rebate scheme

The Government is reintroducing the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (SSPRS), as a temporary measure to support employers currently facing heightened levels of sickness. The SSPRS will refund small and medium-sized employers’ Covid-related SSP costs for up to two weeks for each employee.

Employers will be able to claim the costs for up to two weeks of SSP per employee who has to take time off due to Covid, regardless of whether they have claimed under the previous scheme for that individual. This applies for Covid related absences occurring from 21 December 2021 onwards.

Employers will be able to make a claim through HMRC from mid-January onwards, using this website:

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also introduced a new grant scheme to support businesses experiencing difficulties due to Omicron and the impact of staff absences and lower consumer demand.

The £102m Additional Restrictions Grant top-up will be prioritised for those local authorities who have distributed their existing allocation. It is intended to support businesses who are impacted by Covid-19 – but especially those who may not be eligible for the hospitality and leisure grant – and is at the discretion of local authorities.