How will statutory pay rates change?

Statutory family related pay

The proposed statutory rates for parental pay and statutory sick pay as of April 2026 have been announced. Whilst many employers offer enhanced payments for family related leave, the below figures relate to the minimum employers will be obliged to pay.

Statutory family related pay rates are proposed to increase from £187.18 per week to £194.32 per week. This includes:

• Statutory maternity pay
• Statutory paternity pay
• Statutory shared parental pay
• Statutory adoption pay
• Statutory parental bereavement pay
• Statutory neonatal care leave pay

To qualify for these types of family leave related pay, the average gross weekly earning currently needs to be £125 or more a week It is proposed that this will increase to £129 or more a week.

Statutory sick pay (SSP)

SSP is set to increase from £118.75 per week to £123.25 per week.

Currently, to qualify for SSP, an individual must be: 1. An employee 2. Earn a minimum of £123 and 3. Have been ill for more than three days in a row.

This is set to change in April 2026., under the new provisions in the Employment Rights Bill, as eligibility to SSP will be widened by removing the lower earning limit (meaning all employees will be entitled to SSP) and employees will be entitled to SSP from the first day of absence.

Employees earning below the lower earnings limit will be entitled to 80% of their wages as SSP.

Comment

Many employers offer enhanced payments for family related leave and/or sick pay, but the above refers to the minimum that employers will be obligated to pay to eligible employees.

If your employment policies, staff handbooks or contracts refer to these specific minimum entitlements, they may need updating after April 2026.

If you would like assistance reviewing and updating your policies, please get in contact with one of the Employment team.