An online petition calling for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) to be increased in line with the current rate of inflation to help with the rising costs of living has received more than 25,430 signatures of support. However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) responded to it last month saying there are “no plans” to review the current payment rates.
But, despite the response, the SNP’s Chief Whip, Owen Thompson MP, has asked the DWP about the “potential merits” of increasing Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay to the level of the real living wage as determined by the Living Wage Foundation.
Statutory Maternity Pay is currently paid at 90% of average weekly earnings, before tax, for the first six weeks. It is then £156.66 or 90% of average weekly earnings - whichever is lower - for the next 33 weeks, working out to an average total of £7, 500 per year.
