The Government has responded to calls to increase maternity pay for new mothers. Currently, statutory maternity pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks.
This means you receive 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks, followed by whichever is lower between £194.32 or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings for the next 33 weeks. Tax and National Insurance are both deducted.
With shared parental leave, you receive statutory shared parental pay (ShPP). ShPP is £194.32 a week or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Petition calls for change
There have been calls to change this due to the cost-of-living crisis, including a petition on the Parliament website. Created by Joeli Brearley on September 14, it hit the 10,000 signatures mark on September 19, meaning the Government is obliged to respond to it.
The petition said: "We believe mothers should never be forced back to work because maternity leave is unaffordable. UK SMP is among Europe’s least generous, falling to around 41% of minimum wage after 6 weeks. The Government should fix this and give mothers 12 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay at 90% of their salary."
It is estimated that between 2023-26, SMP rose by just 12.7%, whilst the National Living Wage rose by 22%. We are concerned the gap is widening. It was estimated that the proportion of mothers returning earlier to work for financial reasons rose from 42% in 2022 to 58% in 2023.
"Public research links maternity leave under 12 weeks to greater depression, poorer maternal wellbeing & lower sensitivity to a baby’s needs. Low SMP can hit low-income families hardest, forcing mothers back before they’re ready. We feel Statutory Maternity Leave for 12 weeks at 90% of salary, and the National Minimum Wage for the remainder, are the absolute minimum families deserve."
Government response
The Government responded: "Maternity pay provides a measure of financial support to help mothers take time off work following birth. It is not intended to replace earnings. Pay is in scope of the Parental Leave and Pay Review."
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring new parents have the time and support they need when welcoming a new child into their family. It understands that many families face financial pressures during the first year of a child’s life, and that the level of maternity pay is an important issue for many working parents.
"Maternity pay is intended to provide a measure of financial support while a mother takes time away from work to recover from childbirth and care for her child. It supports her during this time whilst maintaining her attachment to the labour market so that she can return to work when appropriate. Maternity pay is not intended to replace earnings in full."
Eligible women may receive either Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or Maternity Allowance (MA). SMP is paid by employers, while MA is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to eligible women, including self-employed women and some employed women who do not qualify for SMP. Entitlement to both payments is based on a woman’s recent employment and earnings.
"Both SMP and MA are paid for up to a maximum of 39 weeks. For SMP, the first six weeks are paid at a weekly rate equal to 90 per cent of the woman's average weekly earnings, with no upper limit, followed by up to 33 weeks at the lower of either the standard rate or 90 per cent of the woman's average weekly earnings. MA is paid at either the standard rate or 90 per cent of the woman’s average weekly earnings, whichever is the lower, for a maximum of 39 weeks."
"The Government recognises the financial pressures facing many new parents and has measures in place to support them and their families. Maternity Pay is just one element of the support available. Depending on individual circumstances, additional financial support, for example, Universal Credit, Child Benefit, the Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) and Healthy Start vouchers are also available to support new parents. More information about benefits and financial support available to pregnant women and their families can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page."
The petition proposes that part of SMP should be paid at the national minimum wage, however it is important to note the distinction between a National Living Wage and maternity pay. The former is a minimum hourly rate for work, whereas maternity pay provides financial support during an absence from work. They serve different purposes and are not directly comparable.
Review of Parental Leave and Pay
The Government understands the importance of ensuring statutory payments are set at the right level. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required by law to undertake an annual review of benefits and State Pensions, including statutory pay. This is based on a review of trends in prices and earnings growth in the preceding year. From April 2026 these payments were uprated in line with the Consumer Prices Index of 3.8 per cent, with their standard rates increasing from £187.18 to £194.32 per week. This means that the payments retain their value against inflation.
"However, Government knows there is more it can do to support working families. That is why it is undertaking a Review of the Parental Leave and Pay system, exploring how it can better support families, reflect the realities of modern work and childcare, and balance the needs of parents, employers and the Exchequer. The Review launched on 1 July 2025 and is due to conclude in early 2027. The Review is considering evidence on existing parental pay entitlements, including how any future reforms could best meet the needs of parents, employers and taxpayers."
The petition cites research linking maternity leave length and maternal health. Supporting mothers' health and wellbeing is a key objective of the Review. Government has engaged (and continues to engage) with maternity advocacy groups, who have shared their concerns about the level of maternity pay and the impact this can have on mothers’ health and wellbeing, and on family finances.
"The Government is also committed to learning from international experience; however, cross-national comparisons must be made carefully given differences in labour markets and the wider package of support available to families."
"The Review will conclude with a set of findings in which Government will outline next steps for taking any potential reforms forward to implementation. While the Review is considering whether changes may be needed in future, the current maternity pay system continues to provide support for eligible mothers during pregnancy and the first year following the birth of a child."
The Moorepay report concluded that Norway has the world's most generous maternity pay. It said: "In absolute terms, the country offers up to 663,132 krone, which converts directly to $65,917."
"However, in Norway, you could use this amount to pay for goods and services that would cost $73,955 in the U.S. Hence, the latter figure represents Norway’s maximum maternity pay in international dollars."
