Statutory Paternity Pay UK

Overview

Calculate Statutory Paternity Pay UK using the official rates and regulations for United Kingdom.

How it works

Enter the base amount and the calculator will apply the relevant rates and brackets to compute the result.

Understanding Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave Entitlements

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) is available to employees who have been with their employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth, or by the end of the week in which they are matched with a child for adoption. Eligible fathers or partners can take either one week or two consecutive weeks of paternity leave, which must be taken within 56 days of the birth or adoption placement. For the 2025-26 tax year, SPP is paid at the lower of £184.03 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings. The leave must be taken in a single continuous block, though since April 2024, fathers can choose to split their two weeks into two separate one-week blocks, providing greater flexibility to be present at key moments during the first year. Eligible employees must give their employer at least 15 weeks' notice before the expected birth date, stating when they intend to take the leave and whether they want one or two weeks. Employees on paternity leave are entitled to their normal contractual benefits including pension contributions, and their job is protected during the leave period.

Enhanced Paternity Pay and Employer Policies

While statutory paternity pay is modest compared to maternity pay, an increasing number of employers offer enhanced paternity packages. These range from full pay for two weeks to extended leave at full or half pay for up to four or six weeks. Tech companies, financial services firms, and progressive public sector employers have led the way in offering generous paternity packages, recognising that supporting fathers in bonding with newborn children promotes gender equality and employee retention. Some employers have introduced shared parental pay matching their maternity pay rates, making it financially viable for fathers to take extended leave through the Shared Parental Leave scheme. When evaluating job offers, prospective parents should factor in paternity and shared parental pay policies alongside salary and other benefits, as the financial difference between statutory and enhanced pay during the first year of a child's life can amount to several thousand pounds.

Using Our Paternity Pay Calculator

Our paternity pay calculator helps you determine your statutory or enhanced paternity pay entitlement based on your average weekly earnings and employer's policy. Enter your salary details to see the weekly SPP amount and total pay over your chosen leave period. The calculator shows the impact of tax and National Insurance deductions on your paternity pay, giving a clear picture of your take-home amount during leave. For employees considering Shared Parental Leave as an alternative or supplement to paternity leave, the calculator compares the financial outcomes of different leave arrangements, helping families make informed decisions about how to allocate leave between both parents to maximise both bonding time and household income during the first year of their child's life.

Shared Parental Leave as an Alternative to Paternity Leave

Since April 2015, eligible parents can use Shared Parental Leave (SPL) to share up to 50 weeks of leave between them after the birth or adoption of a child. This provides significantly more flexibility than the standard two-week paternity leave entitlement. Mothers must take the first two weeks of compulsory maternity leave, but after that the remaining 50 weeks can be shared in any pattern that suits the family. Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is paid at the same rate as SMP at £184.03 per week or 90% of average earnings if lower. While the statutory pay rate makes extended leave financially challenging for many families, some employers offer enhanced shared parental pay that matches their maternity pay policies. The combination of paternity leave followed by shared parental leave enables fathers to take several months off work while the mother returns earlier, providing families with greater choice in how they balance work and childcare during the crucial first year. Understanding the interaction between paternity leave, shared parental leave, and annual leave helps parents maximise their time with their newborn while managing the financial impact of reduced income during the leave period.

Our calculator helps families model different leave scenarios, comparing the financial outcomes of traditional paternity leave against shared parental leave arrangements, ensuring both parents can make informed choices about their respective leave entitlements.