If you’re a self-employed plumber, electrician, hairdresser, driver or freelancer, taking time off when your baby arrives has always meant one thing: no work, no money. Employed dads get statutory paternity pay. Self-employed mums can claim Maternity Allowance. But self-employed dads and partners have had nothing.
That’s about to change. The government announced this week that it will extend parental pay to more than 150,000 extra parents a year, including self-employed dads and partners who’ve been left out until now.
What’s been announced
The change was one of five “everyday fixes” the government set out on October 26 and 27, ahead of the Budget. Here’s what we know so far:
- Who: self-employed dads and partners, including same-sex partners, who don’t qualify for statutory paternity pay now
- How much: up to £194 a week
- How long: two weeks, so up to about £388 in total
- How many: more than 150,000 extra parents a year
For comparison, employed dads currently get statutory paternity pay of £194.32 a week, or 90% of their average weekly earnings if that’s less, for up to two weeks. The new support looks designed to match that, although the exact rules haven’t been published yet.
Why it matters
The early weeks with a newborn are exhausting. Many self-employed parents either go back to work within days or take time off and lose income they can’t afford to lose. Unions and campaign groups have pushed for this for years.
Philippa Childs, head of the media and entertainment union Bectu, called it “a big step forwards” and said it’s “not just a win for self-employed dads and partners, but for children and families more generally.”
What we don’t know yet
Some important details are still missing:
- When it starts. The government only says “in future.” If your baby is due soon, don’t assume you’ll be covered.
- How to claim. No application process has been announced. It may work like Maternity Allowance, which self-employed mums claim from DWP, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
- Earnings rules. It’s not yet clear whether you’ll need to have earned a minimum amount, or been self-employed for a set time.
- Where it applies. It’s not yet confirmed whether the scheme covers the whole UK.
The Treasury said more details will come in the Budget on October 28. We’ll update this article when they do.
Support you can check now
While you wait, make sure your family isn’t missing out on help that’s already available:
- Maternity Allowance: if the mother is self-employed, she can claim up to 39 weeks of Maternity Allowance from DWP.
- Child Benefit: claim as soon as the baby is registered. It can be backdated up to three months.
- Universal Credit: if you’re on a low income, a new baby can increase your award or make you newly eligible.
- Sure Start Maternity Grant: a one-off £500 for some families on certain benefits in England and Wales, if it’s your first child (or for multiple births). Scotland has its own Best Start Grant.
- Tax-Free Childcare and free hours: worth looking into once you return to work.
Sources: GOV.UK, Everyday fixes to make life easier for millions of Britons, MoneySavingExpert (October 26, 2026) and Bectu.
Maria is a dedicated news writer covering the latest UK updates on DWP, PIP, State Pension Triple Lock, Child Benefit, Universal Credit, and driving licence regulations. She focuses on explaining government announcements, benefit eligibility, payment changes, pension increases, and new regulations in a clear and easy-to-understand way.