Shared Parental Leave planner
Shared Parental Leave lets a birth parent end maternity leave early and share what is left of the 52 weeks of leave and 39 weeks of statutory pay with the other parent, including taking time off together. BabyData works out the SPL leave pool (52 minus the maternity weeks taken) and the shared pay pool (39 minus the maternity pay weeks taken) so you can plan the split. Both parents must meet gov.uk continuity and earnings tests and give proper notice. This is a planning estimate of the statutory minimum, so check eligibility and the current ShPP rate on gov.uk.
Plan your shared leave
The leave and pay pools left to share, from the maternity leave already taken.
How this is worked out
A birth parent is entitled to up to 52 weeks of leave and up to 39 weeks of statutory pay. Shared Parental Leave lets the birth parent end maternity leave early and turn what is left into leave and pay the two parents can share, including taking it at the same time:
SPL pool = 52 − weeks of maternity leave taken
Shared pay pool = 39 − weeks of maternity pay taken
To qualify, both parents must meet gov.uk continuity-of-employment and earnings tests, and you must give your employers proper notice. SPL must usually be used within the first year. This tool shows the pools that are left to share; how you split them between you is up to you.
A planning estimate of the statutory minimum, not advice. ShPP is paid at the lower of the statutory flat rate or 90% of earnings, and tax and National Insurance are deducted. Check eligibility, notice rules and your contract on gov.uk and with your employer.
Source: gov.uk Shared Parental Leave and Pay (up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay to share; ShPP is the lower of the weekly flat rate or 90% of average weekly earnings).
Common questions
What is Shared Parental Leave?
It is not extra leave on top of maternity leave: it is created when the birth parent ends maternity leave early, turning the unused weeks into a pool both parents can use. Because the first 2 weeks after birth are compulsory maternity leave, gov.uk puts the most you can share at 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay.
How does the planner work out what is left?
It subtracts the maternity leave weeks taken from 52 to give the SPL leave pool, and the maternity pay weeks used from 39 to give the shared pay pool. How you split those pools between the two of you, and whether you take them together or in blocks, is up to you.
Who qualifies for Shared Parental Leave?
Both parents must meet gov.uk continuity-of-employment and earnings tests and give their employers proper notice, and SPL must usually be used within the child's first year. Not everyone qualifies, so check the conditions on gov.uk.
How much is Shared Parental Leave Pay?
ShPP is paid at the lower of the statutory flat rate or 90% of earnings, with tax and National Insurance deducted. The flat rate changes each April, so confirm the current figure on gov.uk. This is a planning estimate of the statutory minimum, not advice.
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Editor, BabyData
Oliver Mackman is the named editor of BabyData and a director of Best Business Loans Ltd (Companies House 16833937), the company that operates the site. He is accountable for its editorial standards, sourcing and corrections, and requires every number to cite the underlying rule and the official UK dataset behind it, with pregnancy tools reviewed against NHS and gov.uk guidance before publication.
Last reviewed: 24 September 2026