Browse UK Parental Leave Schemes

Page 1 of 1 (6 schemes)

• Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

  Employee for 26 continuous weeks ending the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (EWC), earning at least the Lower Earnings Limit on average.

• Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)

  Employee for 26 continuous weeks ending the 15th week before EWC; biological father, mother's partner, or adopting parent.

• Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Pay (ShPP)

  Both parents must meet the work and earnings continuity tests; the birth parent must curtail SMP/MA. Up to 50 weeks of leave + 37 weeks of pay can be split.

• Maternity Allowance (MA)

  Self-employed paying Class 2 NICs, or employed but not qualifying for SMP, who have worked at least 26 of the 66 weeks before EWC and earned £30/week+ in any 13 of those weeks.

• Tax-Free Childcare

  Each parent earning at least the National Living Wage equivalent for 16 hours/week, and neither earning over £100,000. Children up to 11 (or 16 if disabled).

• Statutory Adoption Leave and Pay (SAP)

  Employee for 26 continuous weeks ending the week the child is matched; only one parent in an adopting couple can take SAP.