We’ve been looking at some things changing in 2026.
Looking at employment law, a rise in statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is coming and will increase to £123.25 per week with further SSP reforms proposed under the Employment Rights Bill (subject to Parliamentary approval).
From 1st April, 2026, the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage will also rise again with increases across all age bands and the accommodation offset rate. (See here for more details on minimum wage https://theblantyretelegraph.com/2026/01/01/minimum-wage-will-rise-in-april/ )
Among other of the most important employment law changes for 2026 are the new rates for statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay, shared parental pay, adoption pay, maternity allowance, statutory parental bereavement pay, and statutory neonatal care pay, which were all announced by the government on the 27th November 2025.
