---
title: New and proposed Statutory Rates for April 2026
description: Government announces new and proposed minimum wage and statutory pay rates effective April 2026. Explore the detailed changes in wages and family leave pay rates.
---

[News ](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news)

# [New and proposed Statutory Rates for April 2026](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news/statutory-rates-for-april-2026)

 Written by [HR Connect](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news/author/hr-connect) | Dec 11, 2025 11:57:47 AM

**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. 

 

[View full post](https://www.hrconnect.org.uk/news/statutory-rates-for-april-2026)

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