The statutory adoption pay rate increased on 5 April 2026. The examples in this guide on payment for keeping-in-touch days have been updated with the new rate.
Updated to confirm that enhanced redundancy protections will apply for employees taking, or returning, from bereaved partner's paternity leave. HR teams should ensure that their redundancy policies and processes reflect this additional protection.
Updated to reflect the statutory adoption pay rate in force from 5 April 2026. Employers should review payroll and check eligible employees are paid correctly.
In April 2026, HR professionals face the challenge of dealing with business-as-usual employment law changes, such as increases in statutory maternity, paternity and sick pay, while also dealing with a raft of major changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025. We look at what HR needs to do to meet its employment law obligations this spring.