New statutory payment rates for 2012 announced

On 12 December 2011, Steve Webb, the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, announced the proposed rates of statutory benefits, which will apply from early April 2012.

• The standard rates for statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay will increase from £128.73 to £135.45. The weekly earnings threshold for these payments will rise from £102 to £107.

• Statutory sick pay will increase from £81.60 to £85.85, with the weekly earnings threshold also rising from £102 to £107.

• Maternity allowance will increase from £124.88 to £135.45, with the earnings threshold remaining at £30.