MORE than 600,000 workers and their families will have their Christmas ruined because they do not qualify for statutory sick pay, according to TUC research.

Almost 650,000 in festive sectors such as hospitality, retail, arts and entertainment are at risk of having no income over Christmas as a result of sickness.

The study highlights new self-isolation rules introduced after the appearance of the omicron variant, requiring anyone coming into contact with a confirmed case to isolate for 10 days.

But at £96.35 a week, Britain has the least generous statutory sick pay in Europe and it is only available to employees earning £120 a week or more.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Every worker should have the security of sick pay if they fall ill or need to isolate.

“But while we’re out celebrating and buying presents, many workers who make that possible get no sick pay protection at all.

“Our sick pay system is broken. No-one should be left to choose between doing the right thing or putting food on the table.

“We all risk having our Christmas ruined because our sick pay system doesn’t do what’s needed to stop the virus spreading.

“Ministers must extend sick pay protection to every worker and it should be worth at least the same as the [national] living wage to make sure people can afford to isolate.”

Pub worker Rachael Baylis, 22, from Brighton, said: “If we catch Covid and have to take time off work we will earn nothing. It’s definitely a worry.”