The UK is preparing reforms toparental leave rulesthat will allow eligible employees to claim paternity leave from the first day of a new job. The changes are scheduled to take effect in April 2026 as part of wideremployment rightslegislation.
The reforms remove the previous requirement for employees to complete a qualifying period of service before accessing statutory paternity leave. The adjustment is expected to affect parents who begin new employment shortly before the birth or adoption of a child.
Ministers have framed the measures as part of broader efforts to modernise workplace protections and improve flexibility for working families. The updates form part of changes introduced through theEmployment Rights Act 2025.
Under the revised framework, statutory paternity leave and unpaid parental leave will become available from the start of employment. Previously, most employees were required to complete 26 weeks of continuous service before qualifying.
Employment law specialists say the reform is intended to reflect changing workforce patterns, particularly among workers in temporary, part-time and fixed-term roles. The previous qualifying period was often cited as a barrier for employees who changed jobs close to the arrival of a child.
By removing the service requirement, the reforms aim to standardise eligibility rules and ensure access to leave is not dependent on job tenure.
From April 2026, eligible employees will be entitled to take statutory paternity leave from day one of employment, subject to existing eligibility criteria. These typically include being the child's father, the husband or partner of the mother (or adopter), or intended co-parent.
💔 Two weeks isn't enough.The UK has the worst paternity leave in Europe: 2 weeks on less than 1/2 the minimum wage (nothing if you’re self-employed).We should have a system that supports equal parenting so I've joined with other Labour MPs to call for better paternity leave.pic.twitter.com/OdqfYt5HvH
New workers’ rights from the Employment Rights Act (ERA) come into force this week, including the repeal of Tory anti‑union laws that restricted collective action.Changes in April include new day one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave.https://t.co/MM8S5E5kSC
The reforms also introduce a temporary adjustment to notice requirements during the early implementation phase. Employees will be permitted to provide 28 days' notice of their intention to take leave, replacing longer advance notice provisions previously required.
Source: International Business Times UK
