Everywhen are warning that the combination of persistently high sickness absence and limited household savings could leave millions financially exposed if they unexpectedly become unable to work.
Data from the Office for National Statistics figures, published in May 2026, reveal that 148.8 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury during 2025. Although broadly unchanged from the previous year, the total remains 9.8 million days higher than before the pandemic in 2019.
Separate research from the Financial Conduct Authority found that one in ten UK adults had no cash savings at all, while a further 21% had less than £1,000 available to draw upon in an emergency. One in four adults was considered to have low financial resilience, meaning they had missed payments, were struggling to meet their commitments or lacked savings to help them through financial difficulties.
Everywhen says the findings raise an important question for households whose essential expenditure depends on a regular salary: what would happen if the next pay cheque did not arrive?
Financial emergency with very little warning
A spokesperson at Everywhen, said: “Most households arrange their finances around a regular monthly income. That salary pays the mortgage or rent, energy bills, childcare costs and other everyday commitments.
“But an illness or injury can interrupt that income with very little warning. When one in ten adults has no cash savings and millions more have only a limited amount available, even a relatively short absence from work could quickly become a financial emergency.
“People regularly insure their homes, cars and possessions, but may give less thought to protecting the income that enables them to pay for those things.”
The financial impact of being unable to work will depend partly on the support provided by an employer. Some organisations offer enhanced occupational sick pay, while others provide only the statutory entitlement.
Statutory Sick Pay changed in April 2026 and is now available to eligible employees from the first full day of sickness absence, with the previous lower earnings threshold removed. However, the maximum payment is £123.25 a week, or 80% of average weekly earnings if that figure is lower, and it can normally be paid for up to 28 weeks.
Everywhen says the reforms have widened access to Statutory Sick Pay but have not removed the potential gap between an employee’s usual earnings and the income available during an extended absence.
Savings may help to bridge that gap temporarily, while some employees may have additional protection through their workplace benefits. However, these options are not available to everyone.
Short-term income protection, sometimes known as Accident, Sickness and Unemployment insurance, can provide a monthly benefit for a fixed period if someone cannot work because of a covered illness or accident. Depending on the policy, it may also offer protection following involuntary redundancy.
The spokesperson added: “The sick-pay safety net has widened, but that does not necessarily mean it will cover a household’s essential expenditure.
“A useful starting point is to calculate how much it costs to meet essential commitments each month, establish what sick pay an employer provides and then consider how long any accessible savings would last.
“Insurance will not be necessary or appropriate for everyone, but people should understand the potential gap before an illness, injury or redundancy occurs. It is much harder to address the problem after an income has already stopped.”
Accident, Sickness and Unemployment policies commonly include a deferred period before payments begin and provide cover for a limited length of time. Voluntary redundancy, resignation, dismissal for misconduct, known redundancy situations and certain pre-existing medical conditions will not normally be covered.
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