Overview
- The Government formally replied to a petition led by Joeli Brearley that calls for 12 weeks of maternity pay at 90% of salary followed by payments equal to the minimum wage.
- The DWP said statutory maternity pay is intended as partial support for time off after birth and highlighted existing entitlements rather than agreeing to the petition’s demands.
- Ministers pointed to the Parental Leave and Pay Review, launched on 1 July 2025 and due to report in early 2027, as the forum for considering any changes to leave and pay rules.
- The petition has drawn tens of thousands of signatures (reported at about 68,600) and remains open with a closing date in March 2027, keeping public pressure on ministers.
- Under current rules, eligible women can get up to 39 weeks of support with the first six weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings and the following 33 weeks at the lower of the standard weekly rate (£194.32 after April 2026 uprating) or 90% of earnings, a gap campaigners say forces some mothers back to work early and hits low‑income families hardest.