Each year, statutory parental pay rates are updated, and 2025/26 brings new figures for maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
Welcoming a new addition to the family is an exciting yet complicated time—coming with financial considerations for employers and employees alike. So whether you’re planning time off or handling payroll, we’ve broken down the latest rates, so you know exactly what to expect.
Parental pay rates 2025/26
As of April 6 2025, the following weekly rates apply to:
| Payment | 2025/26 weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) during the first 6 weeks of leave | 90% of the employee’s weekly earnings |
| Statutory Maternity Pay during the remaining weeks of leave | £187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) | £187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) during the first 6 weeks of leave | 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings |
| Statutory Adoption Pay during the remaining weeks of leave | £187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) | £187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) | £187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
| Statutory Neonatal Care Pay | £187.18 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
These figures are an increase from the typical rate of £184.03 in 2024/25.
You can recover 92% of payments from HMRC if your total Class 1 National Insurance (both employee and employer contributions) is above £45,000 for the previous tax year, or 108.5% if lower than £45,000.
Parental leave guidance
If you’re looking for guidance on parental leave alongside your 2025/26 parental pay, you’ll find what you need to know in the following guides:
Automate your 2025/26 parental pay
With Cintra, your rates and thresholds are always up-to-date with the latest legislation, and your calculations fully automated – so you never have to worry about staying compliant.
Cintra allows you to set up as many occupational parental schemes as you need. Our payroll software automatically calculates maternity and parental leave payments and generates a detailed schedule for both your records and your employees’ records.
So, whether you outsource payroll or need in-house payroll software, you’re covered across all types of parental leave! Get in touch to find out more.
