Increase Statutory Maternity Pay - 90% of Wages from 6 Weeks to 16 Weeks
Increasing time with a newborn in the first 4 months can boost bonding, support emotional/brain development, aid breastfeeding, reduce parental stress and postpartum depression risk. We think extending SMP at 90% gross wage to 16 weeks further enables parents to fully utilise this critical period.
Signatures
373
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 373/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 373/100,000
- 14 FEB 2026Petition closedFinal total: 373 signatures
- 14 AUG 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We urge the UK Government to extend Statutory Maternity Pay at 90% of a mother’s gross weekly wage from the current 6 weeks to 16 weeks. We believe this change would allow more families to spend essential early time with their newborns without facing immediate financial hardship, supporting child development, maternal mental health, and breastfeeding continuity.