UK parental-pay statistics · 2026-27
UK statutory parental pay statistics
The key UK statutory maternity, paternity, shared parental, and childcare pay figures for 2026-27 - weekly rates, paid-week entitlements, qualifying thresholds, and how the rate has risen year on year. Every figure is compiled from HMRC and GOV.UK primary sources and is free to cite.
- Weekly rate
- £194.32
- 2026-27 flat
- Earnings limit
- £129/wk
- to qualify
- SMP paid weeks
- 39
- 6 @ 90% + 33 flat
- SPL leave
- 50 wks
- shareable
The headline figures
For 2026-27, UK statutory parental pay is £194.32 a week, the single rate behind Statutory Maternity Pay (after the first six weeks), Statutory Paternity Pay, Shared Parental Pay, Maternity Allowance, and Statutory Adoption Pay. To qualify, average weekly earnings must reach the £129 Lower Earnings Limit.
The rate has risen from £184.03 (2024-25) to £187.18 (2025-26) to £194.32 (2026-27). Maternity and adoption pay run longest at 39 paid weeks; Statutory Paternity Pay is the shortest at two.
- £194.32
- Weekly rate, 2026-27
- +£7.14
- Rise vs 2025-263.8%
- £2,000
- Tax-Free Childcareper child / year
The figures
Key statistics at a glance
Every figure is compiled from HMRC and GOV.UK primary sources, with units and the as-of period stated. Free to quote and cite.
- Standard statutory weekly rate
- £194.32 per week
- 2026-27. Applies to SMP (weeks 7-39), SPP, ShPP, Maternity Allowance, and SAP.
- Lower Earnings Limit
- £129 per week
- 2026-27. Minimum average weekly earnings to qualify for SMP/SPP/ShPP/SAP.
- Maximum SMP paid period
- 39 weeks
- 6 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings, then 33 weeks at the flat rate.
- Statutory Paternity Pay
- 2 weeks
- Since the 2024 rules, the two weeks can be split into two separate blocks in the first year.
- Shared Parental Leave
- 50 weeks of leave
- Up to 37 weeks of pay (ShPP), shareable between two eligible parents.
- Tax-Free Childcare
- £2,000 per child / year
- The government adds £2 for every £8 paid into an approved childcare account (£4,000 if the child is disabled).
- Free childcare hours
- 30 hours / week
- For eligible working parents in England, from 9 months to school age (term-time).
- Small Employers' Relief recovery
- 103% of SMP paid
- 2026-27. Standard employers recover 92%; small employers (Class 1 NIC ≤ £45,000) recover 103% (100% plus 3% additional NIC compensation).
Statutory weekly rate, 2024-25 to 2026-27
The flat statutory rate behind SMP, SPP, ShPP, MA, and SAP has risen each April: £184.03 → £187.18 → £194.32 per week.
Paid weeks by scheme
How many weeks of statutory pay each UK scheme provides in 2026-27.
Cite this page
These figures are free to quote, link to, and embed, attribution appreciated. Suggested citation:
PlainMaternity (2026). UK Statutory Parental Pay Statistics 2026-27. PlainMaternity. https://plainmaternity.co.uk/statistics/ (accessed April 2026).
Data compiled from HMRC and GOV.UK primary sources; published under a CC BY 4.0 licence. Full sourcing on our methodology page.
Source: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) - Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 Statutory payment rates · 2026-27 Cross-checked against GOV.UK consumer guidance and the relevant UK primary legislation.
