UK Statutory Notice Pay 2026: How Much Notice You're Owed
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When employment ends in the UK, the law sets a minimum notice period. This guide covers how much notice your employer must give (and you must give), how it's paid, and how it interacts with redundancy.
What your employer must give
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (section 86) the statutory minimum from the employer is:
- 1 week if you've been employed between one month and two years;
- 1 week for each complete year once you pass two years;
- capped at 12 weeks (reached at 12 years' service).
What you must give
An employee's statutory minimum is just 1 week once employed a month or more, and it doesn't grow with service. Most contracts ask for more — often a month.
Worked example
Six years' service, £600 gross a week, being made redundant: the employer must give 6 weeks notice. If paid in lieu, that's 6 × £600 = £3,600 at full pay.
Notice pay is full pay — not the redundancy cap
A common mistake is applying the redundancy weekly-pay cap (£751) to notice pay. Notice pay is your normal full weekly wage. The cap only limits redundancy pay.
Contractual vs statutory
If your contract states a longer notice period, that contractual figure applies. Statutory is only the floor. Where the contract is silent or shorter, the statutory minimum wins.
Pay in lieu of notice (PILON)
Your employer can end the job immediately and pay you for the notice period instead. PILON is usually taxable as normal earnings.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice must my employer give me in the UK?
The statutory minimum is one week if you've worked between one month and two years, then one week for every complete year, capped at 12 weeks (so 12 years' service or more gives 12 weeks). Your contract may require more, in which case the longer period applies.
How much notice must I give when I resign?
The statutory minimum for an employee is one week once you've been employed for at least one month, and it does not increase with length of service. Your contract will often require more — commonly one month for many roles.
Is notice pay capped like redundancy pay?
No. Notice pay is your normal full weekly pay for each week of notice. The statutory weekly-pay cap (£751 in 2026/27) applies to redundancy pay, not to notice pay.
What is payment in lieu of notice (PILON)?
Instead of working your notice, your employer can pay you the wages you would have earned during the notice period. PILON is generally taxable as earnings.
Do I get statutory notice if I'm dismissed for gross misconduct?
No. An employer can dismiss without notice (summary dismissal) for genuine gross misconduct. Statutory notice applies to ordinary dismissals, including redundancy.