The changes relate to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), paternity or adoption pay, the qualifying week, average weekly earnings and the leave period

New statutory maternity, paternity, sick pay rates from tomorrow – full list

Labour is bringing in new Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared Parental, Parental Bereavement and Neonatal Care Pay rates this month. The changes relate to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), paternity or adoption pay, the qualifying week, average weekly earnings and the leave period

These rates kick in TOMORROW from the Labour Party government on 5 April 2026. Employees will be entitled to statutory paternity leave from their first day of employment, removing the previous 26-week qualifying period. This applies to babies due on or after 6 April 2026.

Employees will be eligible for unpaid parental leave from Day 1 of employment, rather than after one year’s service. The statutory entitlement remains 18 weeks per child up to their 18th birthday, with a maximum of four weeks per year unless agreed otherwise.

Employees will now be able to take paternity leave after shared parental leave.

In addition, statutory family pay rates for maternity, adoption, shared parental, paternity and neonatal care will increase to £194.32 a week – or 90 per cent of average weekly earnings if lower.

A new right to bereaved partner leave, available from Day 1 of employment, will also be introduced from 1 April, offering extra protection for employees where a partner dies in a child’s first year.

Reform of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), again in place from 1 April, may affect discussions around attendance.

SSP becomes payable from Day 1 (no waiting days, previously three days). This means employees – including casual staff – will be paid for sickness during their probationary period.

The lower earnings limit is being removed, meaning all employees qualify. Weekly SSP rate increases to £123.25 or 80 per cent of average weekly earnings if lower.

The amount of SSP you must pay an employee for each day they’re off work from the first day of illness (the daily rate) depends on the:

• employee’s average weekly earnings
• number of ‘qualifying days’ they work each week

A daily rate will apply either based on the standard weekly rate or will be specific to the employee. The SSP daily rates and amounts to pay in the tables are based on the standard weekly rate.