For any business, it is important to keep up to date with developments in employment law.
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage
From 1st April 2026, the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates have increased, as is the case every April.
| Category of worker | Hourly rate |
| Aged 21 and above (national living wage rate) | £12.71 |
| Aged 18 to 20 inclusive | £10.85 |
| Aged under 18 (but above compulsory school leaving age) | £8 |
| Apprentices aged under 19 | £8 |
| Apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship | £8 |
Other statutory payment rates are also increasing.
From 6th April 2026, the following key changes were made to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP):
- Immediate day one entitlement
- SSP is payable from the first full day of sickness absence
- Weekly SSP is now calculated as 80% of an employee’s average weekly earnings (AWE) or the flat rate of £123.25, whichever is lower
- Your company may offer enhanced sick pay on top of this.
Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared Parental, Parental Bereavement and Neonatal Care Pay
The Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) rate applies from 5th April 2026. All other rates apply from 6th April 2026
Statutory Maternity pay – weekly rate for the first six weeks 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings. Thereafter, £194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) – weekly rate of £194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) – weekly rate for the first six weeks 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings. Thereafter, £194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) – weekly rate of £194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) – weekly rate of £194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) – weekly rate of £194.32 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Find more details on the government website.
