Payroll Services

Statutory Pay Administration (SSP / SMP / SPP)

We handle all the paperwork and calculations for statutory sick pay, maternity pay and paternity pay, so you can support your team without worrying about HMRC compliance or getting the sums wrong.

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10
Years experience
100%
RTI compliance
<24h
Typical response time
HR/payroll administrator at a desk reviewing leave documents and preparing payments while three employees—sick, pregnant, and holding an infant—wait nearby in a modern office.

What we cover

From eligibility checks to reclaiming what you're owed from HMRC, we take care of every stage of statutory payments for your Cardiff business.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Daily rate calculations, waiting days, continuous employment checks and RTI reporting for absences over three days.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Average weekly earnings, 39-week payment schedules, MATB1 processing and recovery claims handled in full.

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)

One or two week entitlements calculated, paid and reported accurately on your behalf.

HMRC Recoveries

We reclaim eligible statutory payments from HMRC so you get back what you're entitled to, on time.

Making statutory payments simple

When one of your team goes off sick or starts a family, you need to get their pay right. Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay all come with specific HMRC rules around eligibility, earnings thresholds and payment periods. Miss a detail and you risk underpaying your employee, overpaying out of pocket, or facing penalties.

We handle the full process for small businesses across Cardiff and South Wales. That means checking whether your employee qualifies, calculating their average weekly earnings over the right reference period, applying the correct daily or weekly rates, and submitting everything accurately through Real Time Information. If you're entitled to reclaim payments from HMRC, we sort that too.

You focus on supporting your team. We make sure the numbers and deadlines are spot on.

More information

How it works

You let us know when an employee goes off sick (after three waiting days) or provides their MATB1 form for maternity leave. We check their continuous employment, confirm they meet the Lower Earnings Limit, and calculate what they're owed. For SSP, that's a daily rate for up to 28 weeks on qualifying days. For SMP, it's 90% of average earnings for six weeks, then the lower of the statutory rate or 90% for the remaining 33 weeks. SPP runs for one or two weeks at the statutory rate.

We record everything in your payroll, submit it via RTI on time, and keep clear records for your files. If you run an occupational sick pay or maternity scheme, we integrate statutory payments carefully so there's no double-counting. At year-end, we handle any recoveries you're due and make sure your P32 submissions match up.

What you get:

  • Eligibility and earnings checks for every claim
  • Accurate rate calculations updated with the latest HMRC thresholds
  • RTI submission and compliance reporting
  • Recovery claims processed and tracked
  • Advice on offsetting occupational schemes
  • Ongoing payroll audits to catch errors before they become problems

Why Cardiff businesses work with us

Statutory pay can feel like a minefield if you've not handled it before. Rates change every April, qualifying periods differ between SSP, SMP and SPP, and the forms your employees need to provide vary. We've been doing this for local salons, dental practices, tradespeople and retail shops for nearly a decade, so we know where the traps are.

Whether you're a sole trader taking on your first employee or a growing team dealing with multiple absences, we keep things straightforward. You won't need to work out waiting days, chase missing sick notes, or puzzle over AWE calculations. We do that, and we explain what's happening in plain English every step of the way.

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Before you get in touch

Here's what Cardiff business owners usually ask us about managing SSP, SMP and SPP.

How do I know if my employee qualifies for statutory pay?
For SSP, they need to be off sick for at least four days in a row and earn above the Lower Earnings Limit. For SMP and SPP, they must have worked for you continuously for at least 26 weeks by the qualifying week and meet the earnings threshold. We check all of this for you.
What paperwork do I need from my employee?
For SSP, employees self-certify for the first seven days, then provide a fit note (Med3) from their GP. For maternity pay, you need form MATB1 from their midwife or doctor. For paternity, a signed declaration. We'll tell you exactly what to collect and when.
Can I reclaim statutory payments from HMRC?
Small employers can reclaim 92% of SMP and SPP costs, and in some cases all of it if you qualify for Small Employers' Relief. SSP used to be reclaimable but that scheme ended in 2014. We handle all eligible recoveries as part of your payroll service.
What happens if I get the calculations wrong?
Underpayments mean you owe your employee back pay plus potential interest. Overpayments are hard to recover and HMRC may not refund what you reclaim incorrectly. We make sure the sums are right first time so you avoid both problems.
Do statutory payments affect my regular payroll?
Yes, they're processed through PAYE and reported via RTI just like normal wages. If you run occupational sick or maternity schemes, statutory pay is usually offset so employees receive the higher amount, not both. We integrate everything so it's transparent and correct.
How much do statutory pay rates change each year?
HMRC updates the rates every April. For 2024/25, SSP is £116.75 per week and the standard SMP/SPP rate is £184.03. We apply the current rates automatically and let you know when changes are coming.
Can you help if I've made mistakes in the past?
Absolutely. We run payroll audits to spot historic errors with statutory payments, correct them with HMRC, and make sure your records are clean going forward. It's a common issue and usually fixable.
Do you cover businesses outside Cardiff?
Yes, we work with small businesses across South Wales. Most of our clients are in Cardiff, Barry, Penarth, Caerphilly and the Vale, but we're happy to help anywhere in the region.

Let's talk about your statutory pay

Book a free consultation and we'll explain how we handle SSP, SMP and SPP for your business, with no jargon and no pressure.

Book a free consultation