New and proposed Statutory Rates for April 2026 for National Minimum Wage, Statutory Sick Pay and Family Leave pay
The Government has announced the following increases to the national minimum wage rates, to take effect on 1st April 2026.
21 and over - from £12.21 to £12.71ph
18-20 - from £10 to £10.85ph
16-17 and apprentices - from £7.55 to £8ph
The Government has also set out its proposed new statutory rates for sick pay and family leave pay to apply from 6th April 2026
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 various forms of family leave pay is proposed to increase from £125.00 or more per week, to £129.00 or more per week from 6th April 2026.
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