From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will enable eligible employees to access paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from day one of employment, removing long-standing qualifying service thresholds. While statutory paternity pay rules remain unchanged, the reforms are expected to substantially increase the number of employees eligible to take leave, with government estimates suggesting around 30,000 more people eligible for paternity leave and 1.5 million for parental leave.

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