LEGISLATION UPDATE: New rates for sick pay, family leave and national minimum wage apply from April 2026

The Government has set out its proposed new statutory rates for statutory sick pay and family leave pay to apply from 6 April 2026 as we summarise below:  

Updated statutory pay rates

Statutory maternity pay
Previous rate: £187.18 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £194.32 per week

Statutory paternity pay
Previous rate: £187.18 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £194.32 per week

Statutory shared parental pay
Previous rate: £187.18 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £194.32 per week

Statutory adoption pay
Previous rate: £187.18 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £194.32 per week

Statutory parental bereavement pay
Previous rate: £187.18 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £194.32 per week

Statutory neonatal care leave pay
Previous rate: £187.18 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £194.32 per week

Statutory sick pay
Previous rate: £118.75 per week
New rate from 6 April 2026: £123.25 per week

The average gross weekly earnings required to qualify for the various forms of family leave pay increases from £125.00 or more per week, to £129.00 or more per week from 6 April 2026. 

These changes sit alongside the changes to national minimum wage which take effect from 1 April 2026 Minimum wage rates for 2026 - GOV.UK:

• Aged 21 and above: £12.71 per hour
• Aged 18–20: £10.85 per hour
• Aged under 18 (above compulsory school leaving age): £8.00 per hour
• Apprentices aged under 19: £8.00 per hour
• Apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship: £8.00 per hour
• Accommodation offset: £11.10 per day

For advice and support relating to the issues raised in this blog or to make an appointment with our Employment Law Team please call 01635 896 336 or email employment@fentonelliott.co.uk

Disclaimer: This summary is for general awareness and insight, not legal or professional advice and readers should seek professional advice for their situation.