The government has published the proposed statutory rates for maternity pay, paternity pay, shared parental pay, adoption pay, parental bereavement pay and sick pay from April 2022.
The rate for 2022/23 for statutory maternity (SMP), paternity (SPP), adoption (SAP), parental bereavement (SPBP) and shared parental pay (SShPP) will increase from £151.97 to £156.66 per week. The increase normally takes effect on the first Sunday in April, which in 2022 is 3 April.
The rate for statutory sick pay (SSP) will also rise on 6 April 2022 from £96.35 to £99.35 per week.
The average earnings an employee has to earn to be entitled to these payments is set to increase from £120 to £123; this will represent the first increase to this rate for two years.
It is up to employers to make sure that staff on maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and parental bereavement leave, and staff on sick leave, are paid these statutory minimum rates.
Employers also need to review their policies and documents that mention the rates, such as their maternity policies and sickness absence procedures.
If you have any questions on any of the above, please get in touch with the office: sally.phillips@wardwilliams.co.uk or call 01932 830664.