Organising your finances can be overwhelming enough with having to factor in your maternity pay. It can feel like such a tedious job researching all the ins and out of Statutory Maternity Pay too, so we've gathered all the important information to make you a complete guide to maternity pay.
Believe it or not, what you are entitled to as a mum today is a lot better than it's ever been. Plus, according to Insider Media, the amount of maternity allowance you're entitled to is set to increase in April 2025, so keep reading to find out how much more you'll get and when the change will take place.
From knowing what you're actually entitled to and when your Maternity Leave starts, to everything that your partner needs to know too, it's important to know exactly what to expect so that you can budget your maternity pay and just enjoy your maternity leave and new life with your baby.
What is statutory maternity pay?
Statutory Maternity Pay (also known as SMP) is an employee benefit, part of the provision of parental leave in the United Kingdom.
How long is maternity leave?
You're entitled to be paid up to 39 weeks.
How much is statutory maternity pay?
You're entitled to 90 per cent of your average weekly pre-tax earnings for the first six weeks. After those six weeks women have received either £184.03 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks – however, this amount is set to increase to £187.18 in 2025/26, marking an increase of £3.15. This amount also applies to statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay.
We should see these changes take place at the start of the new financial year, which is in April. This is when many government policies and budget measures take effect, says Inside Media.
It's also important to know that you will have pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax and National Insurance deducted from your SMP as it counts as earnings. However, some of this may be claimed back at the end of the tax year, depending on your total earnings for the year. You can use this NHS maternity pay calculator to help you work out what to expect.
Usually, maternity pay is not paid before the 11th week prior to your birth due date if you’re still pregnant. But if your baby is born early, you’ll still get your Statutory Maternity Pay dated from the day after the birth.
You will also receive it if you’ve finished work because of a pregnancy-related illness in the four weeks before your due date.
For more information, check the Gov.uk website.
Do I qualify for maternity pay?
In order to qualify for maternity pay and leave, you must:
• Be an employee and not a 'worker' – the means you should work under an employment contract
• Give your employer at least 15 weeks notice before your due date
To qualify for statutory maternity pay and leave, you must:
• Earn on average at least £123 a week
• Have been working for your company for at least 26 weeks, ending with the 15th week before your due date.
• Give the correct notice as above, and provide a MATB1 form for proof of pregnancy to your employer.
Note: You cannot get SMP if you go into police custody during your maternity pay period, and it will not restart when you’re discharged.
How is Statutory Maternity Pay Calculated?
If you are paid weekly, maternity pay is calculated on your average weekly earnings in the last payday before your qualifying week, and the previous seven paydays.
Basing the calculation on monthly pay, it is based on your average weekly earnings in the two months before the end of your qualifying week. This is so the calculation can include any overtime, commission, bonuses or anything else paid during this period.
However, if your earnings happen to be lower than usual during the calculation period, unfortunately, the rules are very strict and your employer can’t do anything to change this.
You can check what your maternity pay eligibility is on the Government website.
Your company and Statutory Maternity Pay
Your employer cannot pay you less than the statutory allowance, so it's worth checking your contract to see what your company offers. They may pay more than the allowance!
It's also important to check the fine print of your contract to see if it states you having to repay anything if you don't go back to work. It's worth noting that you would only have to pay back the extra money that your company give you, and not the percentage of your statutory maternity pay payments.
Some employers also offer Contractual Maternity Pay, which will be mentioned in your companies maternity policy. They can also offer Maternity Allowance if you can't get statutory maternity pay from your employer.
Some employers – especially small businesses – can struggle to find the funds to pay for maternity leave. If this is the case, then your boss will need to apply to the HMRC Accounts Office for advance funding.
If your company goes into liquidation, you can approach the HMRC Statutory Payments Disputes yourself to claim your statutory maternity pay.
You can find out more at Citizens Advice.
Can I still claim statutory materity pay if I lose my baby?
You will probably need support following a miscarriage or loss, but you can still claim Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance if your baby is born early, is stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy or passes away after being born.
Incorrect Statutory Maternity Pay?
If you feel you’re not receiving the right amount of money, or are having difficulties with your employer regarding this, then the first step is to write to your employer and make a formal complaint.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, then you need to approach your local HMRC office so they can make a formal judgement on it. You have to make this application within six months.
Your employer can be fined if HMRC decides in your favour. You can also approach an employment tribunal for unlawful deduction of wages if your company does not pay all or part of your Statutory Maternity Pay, however this claim must be made within three months.
Can my partner take paternity leave?
Your partner will also be able to take time off work, but will only be able to take one or two weeks Paternity Leave.
The current statutory rate for Paternity Pay according to the GOV.UK website is £172.48, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, although this will increase in line with statutory maternity pay as mentioned above in April 2025, and must meet the same requirements to qualify as maternity leave.
What is shared parental leave?
You are entitled to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave, but will only be paid for 39 weeks in total.
While you must take at least two weeks maternity leave, you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay with your partner, known as Shared Parental Leave.
FAQ: Maternity pay and leave
Am I eligible for self employed maternity pay?
According to gov.uk, you can get Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks if you’ve been registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby’s due.
Who pays maternity pay?
Both your employer and the government may pay maternity pay, depending on your circumstances.
What is enhanced maternity pay?
Enhanced maternity pay is when an employer pays more than the statutory minimum maternity pay. It's also known as "contractual" maternity pay.
Do you get taxed on maternity pay?
Yes, maternity pay is taxable. Income tax and National Insurance are deducted from maternity pay, which is paid like regular wages.
What do I need to know about maternity pay eligibility?
As covered in the article, you must meet certain eligibility requirements to recieve maternity pay. These include having an employment contract, giving the correct notice, being on your payroll in the ‘qualifying week’ - which is the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth, providing proof of your pregnancy, and earning at least £123 a week (gross) in an 8-week ‘relevant period’.
How many weeks maternity pay will I get?
In the UK, you can receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks.The first six weeks are paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax. The remaining 33 weeks are paid at £184.03 or 90% of your AWE, whichever is lower.
Can you get maternity pay if you are unemployed?
Yes, you can claim Maternity Allowance even if you are unemployed. You may also be able to claim unfair dismissal, automatic unfair dismissal and/or pregnancy discrimination in an employment tribunal if you were dismissed, made redundant or a fixed-term contract was not renewed because of your pregnancy.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.