A number of significant policy changes are coming into effect this April, spanning wages, sick pay, Universal Credit, and parental leave rights. Gingerbread welcomes many of these changes and the positive impact they will have for single-parent families. However, not all of the changes will increase support. This article explains what’s changing and when.

Social security changes

Two-child limit removal

From 6 April 2026, the abolition of the two-child limit on Universal Credit (UC) payments comes into effect, removing the restriction on support families can receive for third and subsequent children. This marks a major policy shift, and delivers a key ask of Gingerbread’s #SupportNotPunish campaign.

Universal Credit (UC) Standard Allowance increase

The standard allowance of UC is also increasing on 6 April by around 6.2%, combining an inflation-linked rise with an additional uplift. The government has also committed to uprating UC annually in line with inflation over the next four years.

UC Health Element reduction

The Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element of UC, also known as the UC Health Element, will also change on 6 April 2026. It will be awarded at two rates, and while existing claimants and those with the most severe conditions will continue to receive the current rate, new claimants will receive a significantly lower rate of around half of the existing level.

What does this mean for single parents?

The removal of the two-child limit is a significant step forward and will be transformative for many children and families in the UK, including single-parent families, who made up around 54% of those affected. However, it is disappointing that the government has not abolished the benefit cap (which limits the overall social security support a household can receive) alongside the two-child limit. Keeping the cap in place means that some households will see no gain from the removal of the two-child limit because they are already subject to the cap, while some others will become newly capped and therefore experience only a partial gain. Single-parent families, especially those with young children, will be particularly vulnerable to these adverse effects. They make up nearly 70% of capped households, and 59% of these have a youngest child under five.

The increase to the UC standard allowance is also a welcome change that will help to ease the pressure of rising costs for many single-parent families. However, it is important to recognise that successive cuts to social security means that the value of the standard allowance has been significantly eroded over time and this increase does not go far enough to restore the support that has been lost. In addition, Gingerbread has significant concerns around the reduction to the UC Health Element. Around a third of single parents are disabled, and this change undermines the support available to this group.

You can find out more about the changes to the standard rate and how it is changing for different groups on the Department for Work and Pensions website.

Employment changes

National Minimum and Living Wage Uplift

From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage (NLW) has increased by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour (up from £12.21) for workers aged 21 and over. Alongside this, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for those aged 18 – 20 has increased by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour (up from £10), and by 6% to £8 per hour  (up from £10.66) for those aged 16 – 17 and apprentices.

Statutory Sick Pay reforms

From the 6 April 2026, the rules for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), the legal minimum payment employers must give employees on sick leave, are changing. Under the new rules, SSP will be payable from the first day of sickness absence, rather than the fourth. In addition, the Lower Earnings Limit (the minimum earnings threshold required to qualify) will be removed, meaning that all workers will be entitled to SSP.

What does this mean for single parents?

These changes will provide a welcome boost for many single-parent families, who are more likely to be in part-time, lower-paid work due to high barriers to work. Gingerbread’s Single Parent Employment Challenge report highlights how a limited access to affordable childcare and a lack of flexible jobs means that single parents frequently set their long-term career ambitions aside when their children are young, slowing their career progression and earning potential.  However, while these reform are a step in the right direction, they do not address these underlying barriers, and wider reforms to ensure childcare is genuinely affordable and to improve access to quality flexible and part-time roles are still needed.

Parental leave changes

From 6 April, employees will gain the right to take paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from day one of employment – removing previous service requirements and making these rights more accessible. In addition, eligible fathers and partners will now be entitled to take up to 52 weeks of unpaid bereaved partner’s paternity leave.

What does this mean for single parents?

These changes close a longstanding gap in parental leave rights, which will benefit many single-parent families. Gingerbread is proud to have supported Chris Elmore MP with his Private Members’ Bill to secure the expansion of unpaid bereaved partner’s paternity leave, and you can check out this guest blog from Chris  to learn more about the importance of this change.

Free breakfast clubs rollout

The government is beginning the phased rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary schools. From April, over 500 additional schools will offer provision, bringing the total to around 1,250 schools. A further 1,750 schools are expected to follow later in the year.

What does this mean for single parents?

The lack of available and affordable childcare is a key barrier to work for single-parent families, and this is a welcome step that will help to reduce childcare pressures. You can find out more information about the rollout and what the clubs involve through the government’s website.

Summary

Overall, these changes bring welcome improvements for many families, but gaps in support remain. Gingerbread will continue to push policies that reflect the realities of single-parent families and delivers the support they need. To stay up to date on our work, sign up to our mailing list.