New statutory rates of maternity and sick pay with effect from April 2026

22 December 2025

The Government has set out proposed new statutory rates for statutory sick pay and family leave pay, which are effective in the next tax year starting on 6 April 2026.

They are set out below:

	Old Rate	New Rate
Statutory maternity pay	£187.18 per week	£194.32 per week
Statutory paternity pay	£187.18 per week	£194.32 per week
Statutory shared parental pay	£187.18 per week	£194.32 per week
Statutory adoption pay	£187.18 per week	£194.32 per week
Statutory parental bereavement pay	£187.18 per week	£194.32 per week
Statutory neonatal care leave pay	£187.18 per week	£194.32 per week
Statutory sick pay	£118.75 per week	£123.25 per week

The average gross weekly earnings required to qualify for the different kinds of family leave pay is proposed to increase from £125,000 or more per week to £129.00 per week, also from 6 April 2026.

This blog was written by Beatrice Young, Solicitor at didlaw.

related employment law news

New statutory rates of maternity and sick pay with effect from April 2026

22 December 2025

The Government has set out proposed new statutory rates for statutory sick pay and family leave pay, which are effective in the next tax year starting on 6 April 2026. They are set out below: Old Rate New Rate Statutory maternity pay £187.18 per week £194.32 per week Statutory paternity pay £187.18 per week £194.32 […]

Is working from home working?

18 December 2025

The House of Lords Committee on home-based working published its report Is Working from Home Working on 13 November 2025. This followed an inquiry into the effects and future development of remote and hybrid working in the UK. The key recommendations made were that the Government should: The Employment Rights Bill introduces a right to […]

Update on the Employment Rights Bill and day one unfair dismissal rights

15 December 2025

The Employment Rights bill has been ping-ponging back and forth between the House of Commons and the House of Lords for some considerable time now. The two houses have repeatedly failed to reach an agreement on various amendments in the Bill, including the Labour Party manifesto commitment to grant unfair dismissal rights from the first […]

what our clients say

Outstanding!! I had a very tricky case that I had started with another firm, I decided to switch law firms to didlaw. They grabbed the case and transformed my position. We did end up going the distance but we did WIN!! I can not recommend didlaw more highly.

didlaw were utterly incredible throughout my difficult time. They were always on hand, whatever time, night or day, and helped me navigate this minefield of rules and laws. I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone needing employment support. Incredible service and humane interactions at all time.

Really professional, refreshingly direct and very efficient with your time. I dealt with the Principal Karen Jackson and one of her top support staff members. Always courteous, always on time and always followed through on their commitments. I always felt I was getting really well informed advice but with a highly pragmatic approach.

Specialist knowledge + smart thinking + excellent teamwork = record result! See Tribunal Case 2303683/18 and search for media coverage that speaks for itself. If you are an employee or claimant searching for the very best help with employment law, you have found what you are looking for. No question.

didlaw were brilliant on both the occasions I used them. I worked with Anita who was fantastic. They were supportive, professional, empathetic and knew the best way to negotiate. My interactions with the other members was also good, always there to listen and help. I can’t recommend them enough.

Very personal and prompt service. Use of telephone for discussions/updates.

The responsiveness was particularly valued – but the whole experience was excellent.

You showed you cared in every communication.

The team were very efficient and effective with great communications. Simple, no nonsense approach. Great and easy to understand advice. Very personable approach from all of the team which made me feel at ease and confident.

Although I was advised not to continue with my employment tribunal case, and this was disappointing, I do think it was the correct advice, and only wish I had used this solicitor earlier in my misconduct proceedings as I believe I would have had a more positive result. Thank you for your kindness and support from the office staff to the solicitor who were all very professional and caring.

Anita was very clear with her comms, very professional and very sensitive to my needs. Should I ever need legal advice again, she will be the first person I call. Thank you very much Anita.

Quick initial availability of Solicitor, and quick overall turnaround time.

Karen and her team were professional and transparent at all times. I was wary about instructing a law firm to act on my behalf, but am so glad I did. didlaw represented me to the highest level. The speed of reaching a conclusion for me was beyond my expectations. I will have no hesitation in recommending their practice. Karen made me feel valued and the advice given was brilliant at all times.

The fact that they provided total confidence in what we were doing and reassured we would reach the desired outcome, which they did. It was great from the off, how they listened and helped exactly how I wanted, providing solid advice and fighting my corner as any good lawyers would do.

For me, the process was really simple. I received clear and helpful advice and was able to complete all the paper work without having to travel to the office.

I really appreciated being kept in touch with expected timelines and being contacted accordingly. It meant I wasn’t having to wonder if things were happening or not. – Karen is an extremely open and honest person to work with. She sets realistic expectations and in my case exceeded those on delivery. Her and Emma also worked seamlessly with one another during holiday periods.

I dealt mainly with Karen and Anita on an employment issue. What I really appreciated is “they got it”. I didn’t have to continuously explain how I was feeling, they just knew. That helped a great deal, knowing that I was being believed. I have also had dealings with Michele, who was lovely. – Great knowledge of their field, but don’t take themselves too seriously, but know their stuff.

A very thorough job. Excellent service. Very friendly. I would like to say thank you very much.

The very quick and personal response and the very clear and positive advice from Karen.

Great experience. At a stressful time I was reassured I was in good hands. I appreciated the honesty & directness of the conversations throughout the process.

I was having a very difficult time with my employers and didlaw gave me the support and legal clout that I needed in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion. I found everyone at didlaw to be very helpful, friendly and easy to talk to. In particular, I was always treated with great respect and never felt “put down”, stupid or rushed when speaking to didlaw staff about my employment matter, I could say all that I needed to say and was always listened to.

Both Elizabeth McGlone and Kim Evans were SUPERB! They made an otherwise very stressful and unhappy time so much easier to bear. Kept things simple and costs down. The importance of the personal touch should never be underestimated. Thank you both. Can’t recommend you highly enough.

Beyond being a great professional, Yavnik has always been very empathetic, kind and understanding making me feel secure throughout the process.

Elizabeth saved my life. Honestly. She’s a powerhouse and genuinely one of the kindest people I’ve ever been lucky enough to know. I’ve come a long way, but without her none of this would have even been possible. Please tell her thank you and also my congrats to her too!

Didlaw is characterised by the team’s people-focused approach, genuine empathy and ability to provide astute legal advice.

Karen Jackson is superb at what she does; one of the best negotiators I have ever met; excellent client care skills; measured; knows both the law and how to use it. Provides good instructions at the right time and with the right degree of detail. A pleasure to work with.

Karen has a real skill in being able to deliver clear and coherent advice to vulnerable people in a manner which empowers them to make decisions about their rights and claims.

I can’t recommend Didlaw enough. From my initial telephone call right through to the end, their professionalism was exceptional. I absolutely trusted their advice which resulted in a wonderful outcome. Thank you!

Karen is passionate about holding organisations to account when they treat their employees unfairly at work. If you need legal experts to fight your corner then I strongly recommend that you contact the team at didlaw.

The whole process from the point of instruction to finish was smooth, well managed and quick. The relief of having Karen fight my corner was immense and I would recommend her and her firm in a heartbeat. Professional, slick, easy to talk to and generally awesome.

Immediate responsiveness, and complete efficiency to close the process in less than 2 days. Thank you!

Everyone I spoke to was professional and courteous but also kind and empathetic.

we are never far away, providing nationwide coverage.

As a nationwide employment law firm, we act for employees across the UK in employment discrimination cases. Contact us today to book your telephone assessment.

Book Your FREE Consultation

© didlaw 2025

didlaw is a trading name of Didlaw Limited, a limited company registered in England & Wales under co. number 8642712.

The registered office is 3 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London, EC1N 2SW. Solicitor | Director Karen Jackson. Non-lawyer | Director Chris Jackson