Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Improve maternity pay and financial support for working families
Open for signatures
1,912 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the Government to improve financial support for families by increasing statutory maternity pay to reflect living costs, reviewing Universal Credit income thresholds so working families are not excluded, and extending access to the Sure Start Maternity Grant or an equivalent payment.
During the cost of living crisis, many working families struggle financially when income drops during maternity leave. Statutory maternity pay is often insufficient, and current eligibility rules for Universal Credit and the Sure Start Maternity Grant can exclude families who are in work but still under financial pressure. Families should not be penalised for working and contributing to society before starting a family.
Timeline
| 24 Mar 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
1,912
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
24 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.