Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Equalise maternity allowance with statutory pay & don’t reduce Universal Credit

Closed 60 signatures

What the petition asks

We urge the Government to equalise maternity, paternity and adoption allowances with statutory maternity pay for self-employed workers and ensure that maternity allowance pay does not reduce Universal Credit pay. We believe families shouldn’t be penalised for being self-employed.
Many women are self-employed or running their own businesses, yet we feel the maternity pay system has not kept up. Self-employed mothers only receive maternity allowance, which can be far lower and less flexible than statutory maternity pay available to employees. We believe this leaves many families financially vulnerable at a time when they should be supported and the current system is outdated.

Timeline

24 Sep 2025 Petition opened for signatures
24 Mar 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 60
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 24 Sep 2025
Closed 24 Mar 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 18 Aug 2026.