The Government has announced proposed changes to statutory employment payments for 2021/2022. This includes rates for statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, parental bereavement and shared parental pay.
Highlights include:
- 2021/22 for statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, parental bereavement and shared parental pay set to increase from £151.20 to £151.97 per week.
- Rate of statutory sick pay (SSP) is also set to increase from £95.85 to £96.35 per week.
- Average earnings an employee has to earn to receive these payments is expected to increase. Details are yet to be provided.
The increases in statutory payment rates are lower than in previous years, most certainly as a consequence of the ongoing pandemic difficulties.
If implemented, the new levels will take effect from April 2021. The exact date is to be confirmed.
Employers are advised to start to preparing and reviewing all relevant payroll, expenses and benefits calculations in advance of the changes.
The current rates are as follows:
Maternity Allowance
| Maternity Allowance | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 151.20 | 151.97 |
| Maternity Allowance threshold | 30.00 | 30.00 |
Statutory Adoption Pay
| Statutory Adoption Pay | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings threshold | 120.00 | tbc |
| Standard Rate | 151.20 | 151.97 |
Statutory Maternity Pay
| Statutory Maternity Pay | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings threshold | 120.00 | tbc |
| Standard rate | 151.20 | 151.97 |
Statutory Paternity Pay
| Statutory Paternity Pay | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings threshold | 120.00 | tbc |
| Standard Rate | 151.20 | 151.97 |
Statutory Shared Parental Pay
| Statutory Shared Parental Pay | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings threshold | 120.00 | tbc |
| Standard Rate | 151.20 | 151.97 |
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay
| Statutory Shared Parental Pay | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings threshold | 120.00 | tbc |
| Standard Rate | 151.20 | 151.97 |
Statutory Sick Pay
| Statutory Sick Pay | Rates 2020 to 2021 (£) | Rates 2021 to 2022 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings threshold | 120.00 | tbc |
| Standard rate | 95.85 | 96.35 |
Employer solutions
As a team of employer solutions lawyers, our employment law experts are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the changes statutory entitlements. For specialist employment law advice, speak to us.
