Statutory family leave and pay figures for the 2026/27 tax year, effective from 6 April 2026. Use the table below for an at-a-glance comparison, then follow the linked task guides for eligibility checks and payroll procedures.
| Weekly rate (2026/27) | £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings (AWE), whichever is lower | First 6 weeks: 90% of AWE. Remaining weeks: £194.32 or 90% of AWE, whichever is lower | £194.32 or 90% of AWE, whichever is lower |
| Duration | Up to 2 weeks (taken in 1- or 2-week blocks within 52 weeks of birth/placement) | Up to 39 weeks pay; up to 52 weeks leave | Up to 37 weeks (balance of mother's/adopter's unused entitlement) |
| Service test | 26 weeks by the qualifying week | 26 weeks by the week matched (UK adoption) / placement | 26 weeks by qualifying week + partner employment/earnings test |
| Notice period | 28 days before each period of leave (under SI 2024/329) | Within 7 days of being matched with a child | 8 weeks before each ShPP period |
| Employer recovery (small employer) | 109% of SPP paid | 109% of SAP paid | 109% of ShPP paid |
Paternity leave and pay
Adoption leave and pay
Shared Parental Leave and Pay
SPL/ShPP allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay in the first year after birth or placement. The mother or primary adopter must curtail their maternity/adoption leave or pay to release the balance.
Eligibility tests
What changes from 6 April 2026
The Employment Rights Act 2025 makes paternity leave a day-one right, removing the 26-week continuous service test for leave. The 26-week service test for Statutory Paternity Pay still applies. The day-one leave right took effect on 6 April 2026 under the commencement regulations.
Maternity, adoption and paternity calculator for employers (opens in a new tab)
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations