The government has published the proposed 2026–27 rates for statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and sick pay.
The revised figures are due to take effect from April 2026. Weekly statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay will rise from £187.18 to £194.32.
Statutory neonatal care pay and parental bereavement pay will increase by the same amount. Statutory sick pay (SSP) will rise from £118.75 to £123.25 per week from 6 April 2026.
The lower earnings limit to claim family-related support and SSP will increase from £125 to £129, although this is set to be scrapped for SSP under reforms in the Employment Rights Bill.
Pat McFadden, work and pensions secretary, confirmed the rates, which amount to a 3.8% rise, reflecting the consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rate recorded in September 2025.
Under the Employment Rights Bill, which following a U-turn on day-rights for unfair dismissal is now expected to secure Royal Assent shortly, sick pay will be available from the first day of absence rather than the third.
The government has stated that this change should apply from April 2026.
This piece is based on an article featured on Personnel Today.
