UK maternity pay and leave explained

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks under gov.uk rules: the first 6 weeks at 90% of your average weekly earnings, then the next 33 weeks at the lower of the statutory flat rate or 90% of your earnings. Statutory maternity leave is separate and lasts up to 52 weeks. To get SMP you normally need at least 26 weeks of continuous employment and to earn at least the lower earnings limit. The figures are a statutory minimum before tax, and many employers offer enhanced pay.

Informational only, not financial or legal advice. The statutory flat rate changes each April: confirm the current figure and your own entitlement on gov.uk.

How Statutory Maternity Pay works

SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks. The first 6 weeks are 90% of your average weekly earnings, worked out from your pay in a set reference period before the qualifying week. The remaining 33 weeks are paid at the lower of the statutory flat rate or 90% of your average weekly earnings, so lower earners stay on the 90% figure throughout. SMP is paid by your employer in the same way as your wages, with tax and National Insurance deducted.

Who qualifies

To qualify for SMP you normally need to have worked continuously for the same employer for at least 26 weeks up to the qualifying week, which is the 15th week before your due date, and to earn on average at least the lower earnings limit. If you do not qualify for SMP, you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from gov.uk instead.

Maternity pay versus maternity leave

Pay and leave are separate. Statutory maternity leave can last up to 52 weeks: 26 weeks of ordinary leave and 26 weeks of additional leave. SMP, when you qualify, covers up to 39 of those weeks, so the last weeks of leave may be unpaid. Some families use Shared Parental Leave to split the leave and pay between two parents.

Estimate your maternity pay

The BabyData maternity pay calculator applies the gov.uk rule to your earnings and estimates your total over the 39 weeks, showing the weekly figures for each phase. It uses a placeholder flat rate until the current gov.uk figure is confirmed, so always check the live rate on gov.uk.

Sources

• gov.uk: Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave, eligibility and rates.
• gov.uk: Maternity Allowance, for those who do not qualify for SMP.