Paternity pay

How much paternity pay will I receive?

Employers must pay employees on paternity leave the statutory weekly rate, which is £194.32 from 6 April 2026 (Statutory paternity pay - Acas) or 90% of your average pre-tax weekly earnings, (whichever is lower).

You can receive statutory paternity pay for up to two consecutive weeks if you are eligible. From 6 April 2024, leave and pay can be taken at any point in the first year after the birth or adoption of their child, and you will be able to split your leave into two blocks of one week. 

How to qualify for statutory paternity pay

There are criteria which must be met to qualify for paternity pay:

• You must be an employee.
• If your partner is pregnant, you must have worked for your employer for 26 weeks at the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.
• If you are adopting within the UK, you must have worked for your employer for 26 weeks when you are notified that you are matched with your child.
• If you are adopting outside the UK, you must have worked with your employer for 26 weeks until the child enters the UK or until the week you want your pay to start.
• In either case, you must continue to be employed with that employer until the day that your child is born or adopted.
• You may be the child’s biological father, or adopter, or the spouse, civil partner or partner of the mother or adopter, and have the main responsibility (with the mother) for bringing up the child.
• You must have average weekly earnings at or above £129 weekly before tax. The lower earnings limit is reviewed each year.  Visit: Paternity pay | Acas

You also must tell your employer:

• the date the baby is due or the relevant adoption dates;
• if you want to take one or two weeks’ leave;
• when you want the leave to start.

You must give these details to your employer in writing 15 weeks before the start of the week that the baby is due or within seven days of being notified of a match for adoption. From 6 April 2024, you will only need to give notice of intention to take leave 15 weeks prior to the expected week of childbirth, and then four weeks prior to each period of leave. 

When can I claim my statutory paternity pay?

Your paternity pay will start with your paternity leave, which can start from the date your child is born or relevant adoption dates. You don’t have to take your paternity leave and pay immediately, but you must use your paternity leave and pay allowance within 56 days of the birth. If you want to change the start date already given to your employer, you must give at least 28 days’ notice.

Shared parental leave

Shared parental leave and pay was introduced for parents or adopters of children so that the mother or primary adopter can choose to share 50 weeks (48 weeks for factory employees) of their leave with their partner through shared parental leave. 

Legal disclaimer 

The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.