Self-employed partner and a new parent? You'll get two weeks of parental pay under new plans

We've asked the Treasury for more information on the new scheme, including if it will apply UK-wide, when the rules will come in, how exactly you will qualify, and how to apply.

The Treasury declined to comment, but said that further information would be confirmed in the Budget on Wednesday 28 October. We'll update this news story then.

Fathers and same-sex partners must currently be employees to qualify for statutory paternity pay

At the moment, to qualify for statutory paternity pay (SPP) if you're a new father – or a new parent in a same-sex couple – you must:

• Be an employee up to the date of your child's birth;

• earn an average of at least £129 weekly (before tax);

• give the correct notice to your employer AND;

• work for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks in the lead-up to the birth (though this rule is slightly different if you adopt).

Employers MUST pay you SPP for up to two weeks if you're eligible, and you'll get whichever is the lowest of £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings. This applies UK-wide.

Mothers can currently get up to £194 a week in Government support

Under the current rules:

• Self-employed mothers qualify for maternity allowance and get between £27 and £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks. The exact amount you get depends on how many National Insurance contributions you've accrued leading up to the due date.

• Employed mothers who earn at least £129 a week and started working for their employer BEFORE becoming pregnant, are entitled to statutory maternity pay (SMP). You'll get 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks, then £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

See our Maternity and paternity leave guide for full info on eligibility and rates.