April is the usual month for increases in a wide range of statutory rates and limits. This year is no exception. However, April 2026 also sees the implementation of many significant measures contained in the Employment Rights Act 2025.

We have published our Handy Fact Card 2026/27 which has the details of the increased statutory rates and limits.

Please click here. You can bookmark this version for future reference.

Increase in statutory rates

From 1 April 2026 the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage hourly rates are:

• National Living Wage (workers aged 21 and over) 12.71
• 18-20 year-olds 10.85
• 16-17 year-olds and apprentices 8.00

From 5 April 2026:

• Statutory maternity pay increases to 194.32 a week or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings if this is less than the statutory rate.

From 6 April 2026:

• Statutory paternity, adoption, shared parental, neonatal and parental bereavement leave pay increases to 194.32 a week or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings if this is less than the statutory rate.
• Statutory sick pay increases to 123.25 a week and for more details of the SSP reforms introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025, see below.
• The lower earnings limit increases to 129 a week.
• The basic state pension (for those who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016) increases to 184.90 a week.
• The new state pension increases to 241.30 a week.

Increase in Employment Tribunal limits

• For dismissals on or after 6 April 2026 a “week’s pay”...

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