Statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay 2026/27.

From April 2026 the standard weekly rate is £194.32 (it was £187.18), or 90% of the person’s average weekly earnings if that is lower. The same rate applies to statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay. Tax and National Insurance are deducted as from other pay.

Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay are paid for up to 39 weeks:

• the first 6 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings, with no cap;
• the next 33 weeks at £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for 1 or 2 weeks, taken together or separately. Paternity leave has been a day-one right since April 2026, but the pay still needs the qualifying service below: our paternity and parental leave guide explains the difference.

Statutory Shared Parental Pay is paid at the same rate, £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, from the weeks of maternity or adoption pay the mother or main adopter doesn’t use: up to 37 weeks of pay shared between the parents.

For maternity pay, the employee must:

• have worked for you continuously for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the qualifying week, the 15th week before the baby is due;
• earn on average at least the lower earnings limit over the 8-week relevant period (£129.00 a week for 2026/27);
• give you the right notice and proof of the due date, usually an MATB1 certificate, normally within 21 days of the pay starting.

Paternity, adoption and shared parental pay have similar service and earnings tests.

You pay statutory family pay through your payroll as normal, and most employers can reclaim most of it from HMRC; GOV.UK explains how much. Keep records of what you paid and the proof you were given.