Guides › Work and Employment › Paternity Leave and Pay 2026: Now a Day One Right
Paternity Leave and Pay 2026: Now A Day One Right
Employees can take Paternity Leave from the first day of employment. Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. To get the pay you need 26 weeks' continuous employment by the 15th week before the baby is due and average earnings of at least £129 a week.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Leave and Pay
Leave
You are eligible for Paternity Leave from the first day of employment if you are an employee, you are the father, partner, adopter or intended parent, and you give the correct notice. source
Pay Eligibility
For Statutory Paternity Pay you must have 26 weeks' continuous employment by the end of the qualifying week (the 15th week before the due date), earn at least £129 a week on average, and still be employed at the birth. source
Rate
£194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if lower. source
If Refused
If you are not eligible for pay, your employer must tell you within 28 days using form SPP1. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- £194.32Weekly rateOr 90% of earnings if lower
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 3
Tell your employer you want Paternity Leave and give the correct notice.
Step 2 of 3
Ask whether you qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay.
Step 3 of 3
If you are told you do not qualify, ask for form SPP1.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/eligibility Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/pay Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026