Petition · past parliament
Increase Statutory Maternity Pay & Maternity Allowance to full time living wage
Rejected
12 signatures
What the petition asks
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is at £151. 20 a week, which is not enough to meet the cost of life in the UK , especially not london let alone the added cost of a baby. This financial vulnerability puts mothers and children at risk of abuse amd illness.
The early years are a vulnerable time when children’s experiences and environments can negatively influence their development.
Growing up in poverty has a long lasting impact on children's development, school attainment and health. Children in more deprived areas are more likely to face a serious illness during childhood and to have a long-term disability. The current SMP puts an added strain on families and leaves single mothers in disasterous situations.
Growing up in poverty has a long lasting impact on children's development, school attainment and health. Children in more deprived areas are more likely to face a serious illness during childhood and to have a long-term disability. The current SMP puts an added strain on families and leaves single mothers in disasterous situations.
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.
We understand that you want Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance to be increased, but we're not sure how much you want it to be increased by, as there is no set definition of a full-time living wage. The Government sets national minimum wages, but these only apply to hourly wages.
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Enhance maternity leave to be at full pay for 6 months: Enhance maternity leave to be at full pay for 6 months
Increase Maternity/Shared Parental pay in line with National Living Wage: Increase Maternity/Shared Parental pay in line with National Living Wage
We understand that you want Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance to be increased, but we're not sure how much you want it to be increased by, as there is no set definition of a full-time living wage. The Government sets national minimum wages, but these only apply to hourly wages.
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Enhance maternity leave to be at full pay for 6 months: Enhance maternity leave to be at full pay for 6 months
Increase Maternity/Shared Parental pay in line with National Living Wage: Increase Maternity/Shared Parental pay in line with National Living Wage
Timeline
| 26 Jun 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 1 Jul 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
12
Status
Rejected
Rejected
1 Jul 2021
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.