Paternity Leave Policy - April 2026

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Paternity pay

Week 1 - enhanced paternity pay

You will continue to be paid your normal rate of pay, provided you are entitled to it (off set by statutory paternity pay, if eligible) while taking the first week of paternity leave provided:

• you are entitled to take paternity leave;

• you have at least 26 weeks' continuous employment with us:

  • at the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (in a birth situation);
  • at the end of the week in which the child's adopter is notified of being matched for adoption (for adoptions within the UK); or
  • at the end of the week in which the child's adopter received the official notification (for adoptions from overseas);

• you remain in continuous employment with us on the date the child is born (in a birth situation), is placed for adoption (for adoptions within the UK) or entered Great Britain (for adoptions from overseas); and

• you have complied with the notice and evidential requirements and are able to provide the declarations as set out in this policy.

• you confirm when you wish to start receiving enhanced paternity pay within the relevant Form to provide period of leave notice to take paternity leave.

Week 2 - statutory paternity pay

Statutory paternity pay is payable during your second week of paternity leave period, provided you are entitled to it.

The rate of statutory paternity pay is set by the Government for the relevant tax year, or at 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).

You will qualify for statutory paternity pay if:

• you are entitled to take paternity leave;

• you have at least 26 weeks' continuous employment with us:

  • at the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (in a birth situation);
  • at the end of the week in which the child's adopter is notified of being matched for adoption (for adoptions within the UK); or
  • at the end of the week in which the child's adopter received the official notification (for adoptions from overseas);

• your average weekly earnings are not less than the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions;

• you remain in continuous employment with us on the date the child is born (in a birth situation), is placed for adoption (for adoptions within the UK) or entered Great Britain (for adoptions from overseas);

• you have complied with the relevant notice and evidential requirements and are able to provide the declarations as set out in this policy; and

• you confirm when you wish to start receiving statutory paternity pay within the relevant Form to provide period of leave notice to take paternity leave.