Statutory Sick Pay and Family Leave changes from 6 April 2026
From 6 April new changes to employment right changes are taking place as part of the UK government’s Plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Act
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changes
The current three-day waiting period will be abolished, meaning SSP is payable from the first full day of absence
The SSP weekly rate will rise to £123.25
The Lower Earnings Limit is abolished, so more employees will qualify for SSP
The rate of Statutory Sick Pay for all employees will be calculated at 80% of their average weekly earnings or the flat weekly rate, whichever is lower
Gov guidance on this is available here.
Family leave changes
Employees will be eligible for Paternity Leave or Unpaid Parental Leave from their first day in a new job - previously this was set at 26 weeks
Unpaid parental leave becomes a day one right, removing the current 12-month service requirement
Continuity of service requirements for Paternity Pay have not changed
Gov guidance on this is availablehere.
Further measure that will take effect on 6th April 2026 as part of the UK government’s plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Actare:
collective redundancy protective award – doubling the maximum period of the protective award
whistleblowing – strengthening protections for workers who ‘blow the whistle’ on sexual harassment
Bereaved Partners’ Paternity Leave – (non-MWP measure) will enable bereaved fathers and partners to take up to 52 weeks of paternity leave if the mother or primary adopter dies within the first year of the child’s life
action plans on gender equality and supporting employees through the menopause
menopause guidance
simplifying trade union recognition process