UK Shared Parental Leave 2026
Shared Parental Leave (ShPL) allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of Shared Parental Pay after the initial 2-week compulsory maternity leave. Both parents can be on leave simultaneously and take leave in multiple, separate blocks.
Rates verified June 2026 · Source: Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/3050)
Calculate ShPP entitlement
Open shared parental leave calculator →How ShPL works
- The mother/primary adopter takes at least 2 weeks of compulsory leave after the birth/placement.
- They formally curtail their maternity/adoption leave and pay by giving their employer a written notice.
- The remaining leave (up to 50 weeks) and pay (up to 37 weeks of ShPP) are "pooled" and can be shared between both parents.
- Each parent notifies their own employer of the weeks they intend to take, at least 8 weeks in advance of the first block.
Both parents must satisfy a qualifying test: 26 weeks' continuous employment by the end of the 15th week before the due date, and earning at least £125/week on average.
ShPP rate 2026/27
Shared Parental Pay is paid at £184.03/week (2026/27) or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower — the same rate as SMP weeks 7–39. It is taxable and subject to NI. If either employer offers enhanced SMP/SPP, that enhanced rate does not automatically apply to ShPP unless the employer's policy says so.
Frequently asked questions
How much Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is available?
If the mother or primary adopter curtails their SMP/SAP, any remaining statutory pay converts to ShPP, payable at £184.03/week (2026/27) or 90% of AWE if lower. Up to 37 weeks of ShPP can be available to share — but only the weeks that remain in the 39-week SMP/SAP period.
Can both parents take ShPL at the same time?
Yes — unlike maternity and paternity leave, both partners can take ShPL concurrently. This allows both parents to be home simultaneously with a new child. The combined weeks still cannot exceed the maximum available.
What is a discontinuous leave request?
Parents can request ShPL in separate, non-consecutive blocks (e.g. 3 weeks in April, 2 weeks in July). The employer has 14 days to agree, propose alternative dates, or refuse. An employer has the right to refuse discontinuous requests, in which case the employee can withdraw and take a continuous block instead.
Is ShPP enhanced by some employers?
Some employers offer enhanced ShPP at full salary for some or all of the ShPL period — particularly where they also offer enhanced maternity pay. If you receive enhanced maternity pay, check whether your employer's policy extends the same rate to ShPL.