Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Increase Statutory Maternity Pay - 90% of Wages from 6 Weeks to 16 Weeks
Closed
373 signatures
What the petition asks
Increasing time with a newborn in the first 4 months can boost bonding, support emotional/brain development, aid breastfeeding, reduce parental stress and postpartum depression risk. We think extending SMP at 90% gross wage to 16 weeks further enables parents to fully utilise this critical period.
We urge the UK Government to extend Statutory Maternity Pay at 90% of a mother’s gross weekly wage from the current 6 weeks to 16 weeks. We believe this change would allow more families to spend essential early time with their newborns without facing immediate financial hardship, supporting child development, maternal mental health, and breastfeeding continuity.
Timeline
| 14 Aug 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 14 Feb 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
373
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
14 Aug 2025
Closed
14 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 5 Aug 2026.