Family-friendly rights and support
The statutory maternity pay rate increased on 5 April 2026. The example in this FAQ has been updated with the new rate.
The sections in this policy on Notice to take maternity leave and Maternity pay have been updated to reflect that employers should accept a copy of the MAT B1 from 1 April 2026 and do not have to be shown the original. Providing medical evidence of the expected week of childbirth via this form is an important step for a pregnant employee who wishes to be paid SMP during their maternity leave.
This template letter, which refers to the MAT B1 form (certificate from a registered medical practitioner or midwife stating the expected week of childbirth), has been updated to make clear that a copy of the MAT B1 is acceptable from 1 April 2026 and the original does do not have to be provided to the employer.
This template form, which links to the Government's specimen MAT B1 and explains the MAT B1's purpose, highlights that employers should accept a copy of the MAT B1 from 1 April 2026 and do not have to be shown the original. Providing medical evidence of the expected week of childbirth via this form is an important step for a pregnant employee who wishes to be paid SMP during their maternity leave.
Updated to reflect that Regulations have been passed extending the right to parental bereavement leave and pay to include miscarriages "experienced or detected" on or after 6 April 2026. HR teams should review their parental bereavement policies, and train managers on the forthcoming change to provide compassionate and compliant support.
Use our template form to enable an employee to cancel or vary a period of bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.
Use our template form where an employee provides notice of their entitlement and intention to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.
Use our template form to record an employee’s informal or verbal notice to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.
Use our template form to enable employees to provide notice of their entitlement and intention to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.
Use our template letter to explain the right to bereaved partner’s paternity leave to managers, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.
HR and legal information and guidance relating to family-friendly rights and support.