generalpaternity

Paternity leave + Shared Parental Leave — what fathers and partners get

Up to 2 weeks of paternity leave at £187.18/week SPP. Shared Parental Leave lets parents share up to 50 weeks of leave + 37 weeks of pay.

Last reviewed: 27 May 2026 by panel solicitor2 min read

The short answer

Paternity leave is 1 or 2 weeks within 52 weeks of birth/adoption (from 6 April 2024). Statutory Paternity Pay is £187.18/week (April 2025). Shared Parental Leave lets parents share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them. Legal basis: Employment Rights Act 1996 ss.80A-80E (paternity + shared parental leave).

Paternity leave (the new rules)

From 6 April 2024, eligible employees can take one or two weeks of statutory paternity leave (you can split it into two separate week-long blocks) within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption. Previously you had to take it in one block within 56 days.

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) is £187.18/week from 6 April 2025 (or 90% of average earnings if lower). Eligibility: 26 weeks' service by the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth, earnings at or above the Lower Earnings Limit.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

Parents can convert up to 50 weeks of unused maternity/adoption leave into Shared Parental Leave, and up to 37 weeks of pay into Shared Parental Pay (£187.18/week from 6 April 2025).

You can split it flexibly — both parents off at the same time, or one parent then the other, or alternating blocks. Both parents must meet the eligibility (employment + earnings) tests independently.

Notice

Give your employer at least 8 weeks' written notice of when you want to take SPL.

Day-one rights from October 2026

The Employment Rights Act 2025 makes paternity leave a day-one right. You will not need the 26-week qualifying period from October 2026.

What to do this week

Give your employer at least 8 weeks' written notice of when you want to take SPL. From October 2026 paternity leave is a day-one right.

Sources

Employment Rights Act 1996 Read on legislation.gov.uk

Last reviewed 27 May 2026 by an SRA-authorised solicitor on our panel.

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