(Image: Sean Gallup)
The Government has responded to calls to overhaul maternity pay after nearly 69,000 people backed a campaign demanding better financial support for new mothers.
The petition, created by Joeli Brearley, calls for mothers to receive 90 per cent of their salary for the first 12 weeks of maternity leave, followed by payments equivalent to the National Minimum Wage for the remainder.
But in its response, published on October 9, the Government stressed that maternity pay is not designed to replace a mother's full earnings.
It said: “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.”
The response comes as the petition gathers momentum, with 68,598 signatures and a closing date of March 14, 2027.
Campaigners argue that low maternity pay can leave families struggling to manage household bills and force mothers to return to work earlier than they would like.
The petition claims that the UK’s Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is among the least generous in Europe and argues that the gap between maternity payments and the minimum wage is widening.
It estimates that between 2023 and 2026, SMP increased by 12.7 per cent, compared with a 22 per cent rise in the National Living Wage.
The campaign also cites estimates suggesting the proportion of mothers returning to work early for financial reasons rose from 42 per cent in 2022 to 58 per cent in 2023.
Its creator argues that 12 weeks of maternity pay at 90 per cent of salary, followed by payments equivalent to the National Minimum Wage, should be the minimum families can expect.
It can still be signed here.
What the Government said about maternity pay
The Government acknowledged the financial pressures facing new parents, but made clear that maternity pay is intended to provide support during time away from work rather than replace earnings in full.
Eligible women can receive either Statutory Maternity Pay, which is paid by employers, or Maternity Allowance, which is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions to eligible women, including some who do not qualify for SMP and some who are self-employed.
Both payments can be made for up to 39 weeks. Under the current SMP rules, the first six weeks are paid at 90 per cent of a woman's average weekly earnings, with no upper limit.
For the following 33 weeks, eligible mothers receive the lower of the standard weekly rate or 90 per cent of their average weekly earnings.
Maternity Allowance is paid at either the standard rate or 90 per cent of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 39 weeks.
The Government also highlighted other support that may be available to families depending on their circumstances, including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, the £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant and Healthy Start vouchers.
Maternity pay rates increased in April
The response pointed to the annual review of benefits and State Pensions, which includes statutory payments.
From April 2026, the standard weekly rates of these payments increased by 3.8 per cent, in line with the Consumer Prices Index, from £187.18 to £194.32.
The Government said this uprating means payments retain their value against inflation.
It also stressed that the National Living Wage and maternity pay serve different purposes: the National Living Wage is a minimum hourly rate for work, while maternity pay provides financial support during an absence from work.
Maternity pay review could lead to future changes
The Government's response pointed to its Parental Leave and Pay Review, which is examining how the system could better support families while balancing the needs of parents, employers and taxpayers.
The review launched on July 1, 2025, and is due to conclude in early 2027.
Ministers said supporting mothers' health and wellbeing is one of its key objectives. The Government has also engaged with maternity advocacy groups that have raised concerns about the impact of maternity pay on mothers' wellbeing and family finances.
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The review will set out findings and outline next steps for taking any potential reforms forward.
However, the Government has not committed to adopting the petition's proposed changes.
It said: “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.”