![[UK] New statutory payment rates for 2026-27](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock--183172654_b4d64d0c-0b46-4237-9e6f-b3575a38be5c_1200x.jpg?v=1766008850)
The UK government has confirmed planned increases to statutory payments from April 2026. These include statutory sick pay, family-related payments and the new statutory neonatal care pay, VWV reports.
The updated figures reflect a 3.8 per cent rise in line with CPI to September 2025.
From April 2026, statutory sick pay will reportedly rise to £123.25 a week. Statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance, adoption pay, paternity pay, shared parental pay, neonatal care pay and parental bereavement pay will increase to £194.32 a week.
The lower earnings limit for qualification (apart from maternity allowance) will go up to £129 a week, while the maternity allowance threshold remains at £30. The changes will affect payroll costs, family leave budgets and HR systems from the start of the 2026–27 tax year.
National minimum wage rates for April 2026 were separately announced on November 25, 2025.
VWV advises employers to review their policies, model the new rates’ impact, and ensure payroll software is updated in good time. Adding that communication with line managers and staff may also be helpful where family-related entitlements or sickness absence processes rely on an accurate understanding of statutory pay levels.
Source: VWV
The UK government has confirmed planned increases to statutory payments from April 2026. These include statutory sick pay, family-related payments and the new statutory neonatal care pay, VWV reports.
The updated figures reflect a 3.8 per cent rise in line with CPI to September 2025.
From April 2026, statutory sick pay will reportedly rise to £123.25 a week. Statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance, adoption pay, paternity pay, shared parental pay, neonatal care pay and parental bereavement pay will increase to £194.32 a week.
The lower earnings limit for qualification (apart from maternity allowance) will go up to £129 a week, while the maternity allowance threshold remains at £30. The changes will affect payroll costs, family leave budgets and HR systems from the start of the 2026–27 tax year.
National minimum wage rates for April 2026 were separately announced on November 25, 2025.
VWV advises employers to review their policies, model the new rates’ impact, and ensure payroll software is updated in good time. Adding that communication with line managers and staff may also be helpful where family-related entitlements or sickness absence processes rely on an accurate understanding of statutory pay levels.
Source: VWV
