On Friday 08/03/24, new legislation on statutory paternity came into force as part of the Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
The new regulations within England, Scotland and Wales apply to parents of children born or adopted on or after 6 April 2024.
As part of this legislation, four key changes were made, which we have summarised below.
What are the new paternity rules?
Duration of paternity leave
- Previous law: Employees had to request paternity leave as a consecutive block. They could take either one week or two weeks.
- New law: As part of the new rules, employees can request two separate one-week blocks of leave that do not have to be consecutive.
When paternity leave can be taken
- Previous law: Employees had to take paternity leave within 56 days (eight weeks) of the date of birth or date of adoption of the child.
- New law: From 8 March 2024, employees can take paternity leave at any time within a year of the child’s birth or adoption.
Requesting paternity leave
- Previous law: Employees had to give 15 weeks’ notice to take paternity leave.
- New law: Employees must notify their employer of their intention to take paternity leave with 28 days’ notice.
Statutory pay
New law: Statutory paternity pay will increase on April 2024 to £184.03 per week (£11.55 more per week).
Previous law: New fathers currently receive a rate of £172.48 per week for statutory paternity leave.
