The Employment Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, and the Act will be implemented on a phased basis, through to 2027.
There are, however, two specific implementation dates to be aware of this year: 6 April 2026 and 1 October 2026.
April 2026
Paternity leave and Parental leave
From 6 April, there will be a day-one right to paternity leave and parental leave. The current requirement for 26 weeks’ and one year’s service, respectively, will be removed. It will also be possible to take paternity leave after shared parental leave.
Also from the same date, there will be a new right to bereaved partner’s paternity leave of up to 52 weeks. This is for fathers and partners who lose their partner before their child’s first birthday. It resolves the difficulties of bereaved partners, without the relevant length of service for time off, who have to rely on discretionary compassionate leave from their employer.
Statutory sick pay
From 6 April, employees will receive SSP from day one of sickness absence, removing the current three-day waiting period. The lower earnings limit will also be abolished, and SSP will be £123.25 a week or 80% of normal weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
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