Statutory shared parental pay

From 5 April 2015, qualifying employees who take statutory parental leave are entitled to statutory shared parental pay (SShPP). SShPP replaces additional statutory paternity pay (ASSP).

An eligible couple can claim up to 37 weeks of SShPP (39 weeks for a partner where the mother dies in childbirth).

SShPP is the lower of 90% of salary or the flat rate of £139.58 a week (2015-16).

In other words, unlike statutory maternity pay and (since 5 April 2015) statutory adoption pay, where the first six weeks are paid at 90% of a woman or primary adopter’s actual salary, SPL is paid throughout at a flat weekly 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 within the notice of intention to take SPL (see page 233).