Day-One Parental Rights (April 2026)

What changed

From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduced major changes to parental leave entitlements - some of the most significant employment law reforms in decades.

The key changes

Paternity Leave - no more qualifying period: Previously you needed 26 weeks of employment to qualify. Now available from day one. An estimated 32,000 additional fathers per year can now take paternity leave. You can now take paternity leave after Shared Parental Leave (previously prohibited).

Unpaid Parental Leave - no more qualifying period: Previously needed 1 year of continuous employment. Now available from day one. Extends flexibility to approximately 1.5 million more parents. Up to 4 weeks per year per child (18 weeks total per child).

Bereaved Partners: New statutory entitlement to up to 52 weeks of leave for fathers and partners whose spouse or partner dies before the child's first birthday.

Statutory Pay Increase: Statutory pay for eligible weeks increased to £194.32/week from April 2026.

What this means for you

• If you're starting a new job while expecting, you're no longer penalised for your timing
• You can change jobs during pregnancy without losing paternity/parental leave rights
• These are day-one rights - no qualifying period at all

What hasn't changed (yet)

• Statutory Paternity Pay still requires 26 weeks of employment (the leave is day-one, but pay has a qualifying period)
• The government's Parental Leave and Pay Review is still ongoing and may lead to further changes