Maternity Pay, Paternity Pay and Shared Parental Leave

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Pay from your employer while you're on maternity leave, for up to 39 weeks.

• First 6 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings (no cap)
• Remaining 33 weeks: £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower (2025/26)
• You must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date
• You're entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave (39 weeks paid, 13 weeks unpaid)

Maternity Allowance

A weekly payment from the government if you can't get SMP - usually because you're self-employed, recently changed jobs, or haven't worked long enough for your current employer.

• Up to £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is less, for up to 39 weeks
• Apply from 26 weeks pregnant using form MA1 from gov.uk

Statutory Paternity Pay (2025/26)

• £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
• For 1 or 2 weeks, taken within 56 days of birth
• From April 2026: no qualifying period for leave - available from day one of employment

Shared Parental Leave

Parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them. Enables both parents to be off at the same time, or take leave in turns. Must opt in with notice to both employers.