Advice please - redundancy, contract and payment in lieue question

Gripman

Good afternoon
I've been advised I am being made redundant with tomorrow (11th November) being the first day of my 8 week notice period. I was advised that I would be given payment in lieu of notice, so that today becomes my last day with the company. There is nothing in my contract relating to Payment in lieu of Notice (PiLoN). My redundancy terms are statutory terms only - nothing extra has been offered.
As part of my current package, I receive health cover, death in service benefits and have elected to receive dental cover and health insurance for my wife.
As I understand it, if I "work" my notice (e.g. on gardening leave), I will continue to be eligible for these benefits, whereas if I accept PiLoN, these benefits will cease immediately.
Could anyone advise as to whether PiLoN can be forced upon me please? I would see this as a loss of benefits that, if the company is really keen to part company with me immediately, they should compensate me for.
I accept there is a small benefit to me in making the break immediately, but if I am not hoping to start new employment until the end of my notice period, that is negligible.
I don't think there are any financial benefits one way or the other - the amount will be the same and income tax and NI are payable either way as I understand it.
Can the company force me to accept PILON, and is it unreasonable of me to expect compensation if the company really wants to part company immediately?
Many thanks for taking the time to read this and (hopefully) giving me some valuable advice.
Neil 

tacpot12

If there is nothing in your contract about PILON, then they can't force you to accept PILON. This link provides some very useful information including your rights to be compensated for the loss of your benefits if you agree to leave with PILON when your contract of employment doesn't provide for this: https://www.warnergoodman.co.uk/site/blog/news/what-is-a-payment-in-lieu-of-notice-pilon-advice-for-employers

Gripman

tacpot12 said:

If there is nothing in your contract about PILON, then they can't force you to accept PILON. This link provides some very useful information including your rights to be compensated for the loss of your benefits if you agree to leave with PILON when your contract of employment doesn't provide for this

Thank you tacpot12, that does help clarify the situation for me - I need to treat the offer of PILON as an offer and can expect discussion/negotiation with my employer rather than having it forced upon me.