Tory management candidate Kemi Badenoch induced a backlash final weekend when she mentioned maternity pay within the UK was “extreme” and known as for higher “private duty”.
Her feedback – which she later backtracked on – ignited a brand new dialog about how moms are supported whereas away from work. So what’s maternity pay, who can get it and the way does the UK rank?
What you might want to know
Statutory maternity pay (SMP) was launched within the UK in 1987.
Somebody who’s legally classed as an worker (our Money blog Basically on employment rights explains this) can get SMP if:
- They have been working repeatedly for 26 weeks for a similar employer earlier than their ‘qualifying week’ (the fifteenth week earlier than the child is due);
- They earn at the very least £123 per week on common for eight weeks earlier than their qualifying week.
SMP is paid for as much as 39 weeks of the 52 weeks of depart that eligible staff are supplied.
Some employers, nonetheless, might supply “enhanced” maternity pay packages for workers which have been with them for a sure size of time – reminiscent of 26 weeks’ primary pay, adopted by 13 weeks statutory.
Importantly, eligible girls are nonetheless entitled to maternity depart and/or pay if their child is stillborn after 24 weeks of being pregnant, or is born alive at any level however doesn’t survive.
What’s it value?
For the primary six weeks, SMP is paid at 90% of your common weekly earnings.
After this, you are paid whichever is decrease:
- £184.03 per week (the speed normally will increase in April annually)
- 90% of your common weekly earnings
Maternity pay is identical whatever the variety of kids you might have (eg twins or triplets).
For those who take the complete 52 weeks’ maternity pay, the final 13 weeks are unpaid except your employer affords you an enhanced package deal.
Who pays for it?
The employer pays SMP to their worker within the first occasion – however they’ll declare again most, or probably all, of the quantity from HM Income and Customs relying on the scale of the enterprise.
If an organization is smaller and has paid lower than £45,000 in school one nationwide insurance coverage contributions within the final tax yr, they’ll declare again the complete SMP quantity from the federal government plus 3% on prime in small employers’ reduction.
Bigger employers can normally declare again 92% of SMP.
How does UK maternity pay evaluate with different international locations?
The UK is ranked very otherwise on two totally different measures of maternity pay within the OECD (Organisation for Financial Cooperation and Growth) – a 38-member group which seems to be at financial and social coverage.
In terms of total pay, the UK sits in direction of the underside of the pack – but it surely’s close to the highest when measured on the size of paid time girls have the authorized proper to take off, based on analysis by the OECD in 2023.
A YouGov ballot performed amid the row over Ms Badenoch’s remarks has discovered that simply 7% of Britons suppose maternity pay is at the moment an excessive amount of – in contrast with 36% who suppose it is too little, and 28% who suppose it is about proper.
Girls (42%) have been extra seemingly than males (30%) to suppose it is not sufficient.
Learn extra:
How accident in cafe and £400 turned into genius business idea
The most common holiday booking scams
How to split housework fairly – and the things you shouldn’t say
What if I can not get statutory pay?
For those who’re not entitled to statutory maternity pay, you may be capable to declare maternity allowance for as much as 39 weeks of your depart, which is paid instantly from the federal government.
You may get this if you happen to:
- are employed however do not qualify for SMP;
- are self-employed;
- have lately stopped working;
- participate in unpaid work for the enterprise of your partner or civil companion.
For those who’re employed or self-employed, you have to have been registered as such for at the very least 26 weeks within the 66 weeks earlier than your child is due date.
You may have to have earned at the very least £30 per week for at the very least 13 of these weeks.
For those who’re employed or have lately stopped working, you may be paid an allowance of £184.03 per week or 90% of your common weekly earnings (whichever is much less). For those who’re self-employed, you may get between £27 to £184.03 per week relying on what number of class two nationwide insurance coverage contributions you’ve got made within the 66 weeks earlier than your child is due.
Paternity pay
Fathers are additionally entitled to some pay and break day work after they welcome a baby.
Like maternity pay, the statutory price of paternity pay is £184.03, or 90% of your common weekly earnings – whichever is decrease.
Sometimes, statutory paternity depart is for as much as two weeks relying on eligibility, although some employers might supply extra with their enhanced parental depart package deal.
