Day-One Paternity and Parental Leave Rights from April 2026: What UK Employers Need to Know From 6 April 2026, both paternity leave and unpaid parental leave became day-one rights in the UK. This means eligible employees
Statutory Sick Pay Changes from April 2026: What UK Employers Need to Know
From 6 April 2026, the rules on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changed to make sick pay more accessible and quicker to receive for eligible employees in the UK. The government has removed the Lower Earnings Limit, which means eligible employees can now qualify for SSP regardless of how much they earn. The previous three waiting days have also been abolished, so SSP is now payable from the first full day of sickness absence. (Business Growth Service)
The way SSP is calculated has changed as well. For the 2026 to 2027 tax year, SSP is paid at 80% of an employee’s average weekly earnings or £123.25 per week, whichever is lower. This is a significant shift from the old flat-rate model and is intended to widen access, particularly for lower-paid workers and those with irregular hours. (GOV.UK)
In practical terms, these changes mean that more employees will now qualify for SSP, and they will receive support sooner when they are off work due to illness. This is especially relevant for SMEs, payroll teams, and employers reviewing absence policies and payroll processes from April 2026 onward. (Business Growth Service)
You can read the official government guidance here: Statutory Sick Pay Changes on the government’s employment changes website. (Business Growth Service)
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