The Government has announced the new increased rates for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Ordinary and Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) and Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)from 9 April 2014.
The following weekly rates are applicable, as long as an employee has average weekly earnings of more than the Lower Earnings Limit (see below) during the relevant period.
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Statutory Sick Pay (payable from 6 April 2014) will increase from £86.70 to £87.55 per week.
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Statutory Maternity Pay (for all payment weeks commencing on or after 6 April 2014) - 90% of average weekly earnings for the first six weeks and then the lower of 90% of average earnings or £138.18 per week (increasing from £136.78 per week) for the remaining weeks of the Maternity Pay Period.
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Ordinary and Additional Statutory Paternity Pay - for all payment weeks commencing on or after 6 April 2014 - the lower of 90% of average earnings or £138.18 per week (increasing from £136.78 per week).
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Statutory Adoption Pay for all payment weeks commencing on or after 6 April 2014 - the lower of 90% of average earnings or £138.18 per week (increasing from £136.78 per week)
In order to be eligible for SMP, SAP, and SPP, employees must earn at least the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) in the eight weeks running up to, and including, the 15th week before the baby is due or, in the case of adoption, the eight weeks before the notification of the adoption match is given.
From 6 April 2014 the LEL will rise from £109 per week to £111 per week.