Proposed statutory payment rates for 2013 announced

On 27 December 2012, The Department for Work and Pensions announced the following proposed increases to the rates of statutory benefits:

• The standard rates for statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay will increase from £135.45 to £136.78. The weekly earnings threshold for these payments will rise from £107 to £109.
• Statutory sick pay will increase from £85.85 to £86.70, with the weekly earnings threshold also rising from £107 to £109.
• Maternity allowance will increase from £135.45 to £136.78, with the earnings threshold remaining at £30.

The new rate of statutory sick pay will be effective from 6 April 2013 and the rate for the other statutory payments will be effective from 7 April 2013. The increased rates are subject to Parliamentary approval, HMRC will provide an update on their website if approval is not obtained.