Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Extend maternity pay to 12 months
Closed
5,930 signatures
What the petition asks
For the government to extend the current maternity pay to 12 months of pay rather than the current 9 months of pay. Many women are forced to go back into work earlier than they would like as they become financially strained.
Having discussed this topic with many women and groups, everyone seems to say the same thing. “ I would love to have a year at home with my baby but the bills are creeping up and we need the money”.
It’s a shame some mothers are given no choice but to return to work after 9 months when in fact they’d want to be with their baby, watching their baby grow just that little bit longer.
Many women also expressed that they weren’t happy putting their baby into childcare so young.
It’s a shame some mothers are given no choice but to return to work after 9 months when in fact they’d want to be with their baby, watching their baby grow just that little bit longer.
Many women also expressed that they weren’t happy putting their baby into childcare so young.
Timeline
| 16 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 16 Sep 2020 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
5,930
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
16 Mar 2020
Closed
16 Sep 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.