In short
- The Great Britain scheme is planned from April 2029, so it is not claimable now.
- Eligible self-employed fathers and partners could receive two weeks, with the 2026 rate framework linked to National Insurance contributions.
- Eligible adopters could receive up to 39 weeks; detailed eligibility and claim rules remain unpublished.
The Budget sets out a future Great Britain Parental Allowance, planned from April 2029. It could give eligible self-employed fathers and partners two weeks of paid support; eligible adopters could receive up to 39 weeks. Parents cannot claim it now. The policy costing gives the details.
HM Treasury first announced the expansion ahead of the Budget on 26 October in its official announcement. The 28 October Budget summary repeated the commitment; the costing sets out the proposed terms.
Who could the plan cover?
The proposed allowance would be broadly modelled on Maternity Allowance. It is aimed at fathers, partners and adopters who do not qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay because they are self-employed or do not meet current earnings or continuity-of-employment conditions, according to the policy costing.
The policy refers to eligible parents; self-employment alone does not guarantee a payment. Detailed eligibility tests have not been published. The measure is for Great Britain only: England, Scotland and Wales.
What could the payments be?
Eligible self-employed fathers and partners could receive two weeks of pay, with the weekly amount set between £27 and the statutory rate (currently £194.32) depending on National Insurance contributions. £194.32 is the current 2026 reference, not a guaranteed April 2029 rate. For its forecast, the costing uses Consumer Prices Index (CPI) assumptions to uprate the statutory weekly rate.
Eligible employed or recently unemployed fathers and partners would receive two weeks at the lower of the statutory rate or 90% of average weekly earnings. Eligible adopters could receive up to 39 weeks on the equivalent basis, the costing says.
How is this different from current statutory pay?
Current Statutory Paternity Pay is an employee entitlement. The GOV.UK pay guide lists £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. The eligibility guide requires employees to remain employed through the birth, meet the 26-week continuous-employment test and earn at least £129 a week before tax. The claim guide says parents claim through their employer. These are current rules, not confirmed tests for the planned allowance.
Current Statutory Adoption Pay is also separate. The GOV.UK adoption pay guide says it can last up to 39 weeks: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, then £194.32 or 90% (whichever is lower) for the next 33. Its eligibility rules include employee status, 26 weeks’ service by the matching week, earnings of at least £129 a week and proof of adoption. Parents claim through their employer.
What parents still need to know
The Budget papers give the broad policy but do not set out the final eligibility tests, claim route, evidence needed, administering body, or how the allowance will be treated for tax, National Insurance or other benefits. The costing flags delivery, verification, fraud and error, interaction with existing support, and National Insurance records among its uncertainties; it does not give families operational instructions.
Until the Government publishes those details, use the current GOV.UK guides to check existing employee entitlements. They do not describe a claim route for the planned Parental Allowance.