New Conditions from 6th April 2026

From 6th April 2026, the 26 weeks continuous service requirement is removed. From that date, the right to take up to two weeks’ statutory paternity leave becomes a right from day one of employment.

However, the continuous service requirement remains for payment of statutory paternity leave

• Leave must be taken in blocks of either one week or 2 consecutive weeks and in all cases must finish within 56 days of the birth of the child.
• To change the start date of paternity leave, 28 days notice must be given.
• You must still be employed in the week before the leave starts (a week begins on Sunday);
• You will need to have or expect to have responsibility for the child’s upbringing and
• You must be either the biological father of the child or the mother’s husband or partner (including same sex relationships).

Pay

From 6th April 2026, the entitlement to 2 weeks paid Paternity Leave will be paid at whichever is the lower of either £194.32 per week (formerly £187.18) or 90% of the individual’s average weekly earnings.

Please note that the continuous service requirement of 26 weeks will remain for payment of statutory paternity leave.

Paternity Leave may now be taken after a period of Shared Parental Leave.