Petition · past parliament
Increase statutory maternity pay to match other government pay amounts
Closed
2,358 signatures
What the petition asks
Becoming a parent can result in a significant reduction in income, causing many families to face cash flow problems.
Many working parents are forced to return to work before a time which is best for their own mental health/the wellbeing of the child due to financial difficulties.
Many working parents are forced to return to work before a time which is best for their own mental health/the wellbeing of the child due to financial difficulties.
Statutory maternity pay is currently the lower of 90% of your weekly wage (pre-tax) or £145.18 per week.
This is significantly lower than the state pension (£164.35 p/w)
This is lower than the benefits cap (£384.62 p/w).
Although becoming a parent is (for many) a choice, SMP is not sufficient to pay monthly bills and also provide for a child. This means many parents either delay or do not have children (and pregnancies are more high risk with older mothers), or are forced to return to work.
This is significantly lower than the state pension (£164.35 p/w)
This is lower than the benefits cap (£384.62 p/w).
Although becoming a parent is (for many) a choice, SMP is not sufficient to pay monthly bills and also provide for a child. This means many parents either delay or do not have children (and pregnancies are more high risk with older mothers), or are forced to return to work.
Timeline
| 22 Oct 2018 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 22 Apr 2019 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
2,358
Status
Closed
Opened
22 Oct 2018
Closed
22 Apr 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.