Statutory Shared Parental Pay

Qualifying employees who take statutory shared parental leave are entitled to statutory shared parental pay (SShPP). An eligible couple can claim up to 37 weeks of SShPP between them (39 weeks for a partner where the mother dies in childbirth).

SShPP is paid at the lower rate of £151.20 (2020-21) or 90% of average earnings if less. Unlike statutory maternity pay and statutory adoption pay, where the first six weeks are paid at 90% of a woman or primary adopter’s actual salary, SShPP is paid throughout at a flat weekly rate (or 90% of earnings if less than the flat rate).

To claim SShPP, an employee must give their employer a notice stating:

• how much SShPP both parents are entitled to take;

• how much SShPP each parent intends to claim;

• when they expect to claim SShPP; and

• a declaration from the employee’s partner confirming their agreement to the employee claiming their amount of SShPP.

This notice can be included in the notice of intention to take SPL (see page 320).