The proposed rates for statutory family-related payments and sick pay have now been published by the Government. The new rates should come into effect in April 2026.
Employees who are absent from work due to sickness will receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) of £123.25 per week from April 2026, up from £118.75. This will coincide with the expansion of the SSP system to include all employees regardless of earnings (currently lower earners are excluded from receiving SSP) and payment of SSP from the first day of absence rather than from day four. Both of these enhancements are included in the Employment Rights Bill which is nearly its conclusion.
Employees who are entitled to the appropriate statutory payment whilst on maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave or parental bereavement leave will receive £194.32 per week, up from £187.18.
What is the new rate of SSP from April 2026?
The minimum amount employees have to earn to be entitled to these statutory payments is also increasing. The lower earnings limit (LEL) will increase from £125 to £129 per week. Employees who earn less than this weekly amount will not be eligible to receive the above payments whilst on family leave but will, under the Employment Rights Bill provisions, be entitled to SSP from April 2026.
These proposed rates are still subject to final approval by the Government but it is fully expected that approval will be granted.
How much will statutory maternity pay increase by in April 2026?