Shared Parental Leave and Pay in the UK
End maternity leave early and share the rest of the year between you, in blocks or all at once, at home together or taking turns.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
Shared Parental Leave lets parents share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay in the baby's first year, by ending maternity leave and pay early. As of October 2026, Statutory Shared Parental Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of average earnings if lower. Each parent books up to 3 blocks with 8 weeks' written notice.
The idea in one example
You cannot add weeks to the year; you can share them. The mother ends her maternity leave and pay (or Maternity Allowance) early, and what is left becomes shared. Together you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay, in the first year after the birth.
GOV.UK's example: a mother takes 22 weeks of maternity leave and Statutory Maternity Pay. The couple can then share 30 weeks of Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and 17 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP).
The first 2 weeks after the birth (4 for factory workers) are compulsory maternity leave and cannot be shared.
Pay, as of October 2026
ShPP is £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. Unlike Statutory Maternity Pay, it has no first 6 weeks at 90% without a ceiling.
GOV.UK's worked example: a woman earning £300 a week starts maternity leave 4 weeks before her due date and switches to SPL 10 weeks after the birth (14 weeks of maternity leave in total). She receives £270 (90%) for the first 6 weeks of SMP, £194.32 for the next 8 weeks, and still £194.32 a week once on SPL.
Good to know. If the mother earns well above the cap, keeping the first 6 weeks as maternity pay is usually worth more, because only SMP pays 90% with no ceiling in that period.
Who is eligible (birth parents)
Both parents must share responsibility for the child at birth. Then:
| Who takes SPL and ShPP | Conditions for that parent | Conditions for the other parent |
|---|---|---|
| Both | 26 weeks' continuous employment with the same employer by the end of the 15th week before the due date; still there the week before SPL; an employee (for leave); average earnings of at least £129 a week (for pay) | The same |
| The mother's partner | As above | The mother worked at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the due week and earned at least £390 in total across any 13 of them |
| The mother | As above | The partner worked at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the due week and earned at least £390 in total across any 13 of them |
"Workers" (rather than employees) may be able to get ShPP but not SPL. Rules differ for adopters and parents through surrogacy.
Starting SPL: binding notice
- SPL and ShPP can only start once the baby is born.
- The mother must return to work or give her employer binding notice of the date her maternity leave will end. For pay, she gives binding notice of when maternity pay ends; if she gets Maternity Allowance, she tells Jobcentre Plus.
- Maternity pay or Maternity Allowance cannot be restarted once ended.
- Her partner can start SPL while she is still on maternity leave, as long as she has given binding notice.
Booking your blocks
- Each parent can book up to 3 separate blocks, even without sharing, and more if the employer agrees.
- Give at least 8 weeks' written notice of your dates, and 8 weeks before any change. Acas has free forms and templates; your employer may have its own.
- With your employer's agreement, a block can be split into shorter periods of at least a week (for example 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off).
- Each parent can work up to 20 SPLIT days (Shared Parental Leave in touch days), on top of the mother's 10 keeping in touch days. Both are optional.
- Within 14 days of your application, your employer can ask for the birth certificate (or a declaration of place and date of birth) and the name and address of your partner's employer.
A planning example
Hana and Jo's baby is born in March. Hana takes 18 weeks of maternity leave and SMP, then gives binding notice. That leaves 34 weeks of leave and 21 weeks of pay to share. Jo takes 8 weeks of SPL in the summer while Hana is back at work, then they each take 4 weeks together at Christmas. Both employers got their 8 weeks' notice in writing before each block.
Check before you decide
Read also: Statutory Maternity Pay and paternity leave and pay.
Questions parents ask
How much is shared parental pay?
As of October 2026, Statutory Shared Parental Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. There is no 6-week period at 90% without a ceiling, unlike maternity pay.
Can we both be off at the same time?
Yes. You can take leave at the same time or take turns, in up to 3 blocks each, or more if your employer agrees.
How much notice do I need to give?
At least 8 weeks' written notice of your leave dates, and at least 8 weeks before any change. Acas publishes free notice templates.
Can the mother change her mind after giving binding notice?
Only in limited cases, for example if neither parent turns out to be eligible during the 8-week notice period, if her partner has died, or if she withdraws less than 6 weeks after the birth having given notice before it.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Shared Parental Leave and Pay: how it works checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Shared Parental Leave: eligibility for birth parents checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Shared Parental Leave: what you'll get checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Shared Parental Leave: when you can start checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Shared Parental Leave: booking blocks of leave checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Shared Parental Leave: applying for leave and pay checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.