Latest news with #MaternityAllowance
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
I've landed my dream job but just found out I'm pregnant – do I tell my new boss now?
APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who has just been offered her dream job but has found out she's pregnant. Advertisement 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) have just accepted a pretty senior role at a firm I've wanted to be part of for a while. However, since receiving the offer, I've discovered I'm pregnant – we weren't trying for a baby, but we'd like to progress with the pregnancy. My question is, what's the right next step – do I tell my new employer up front? Or maybe I should stay at my current job in order to get Statutory Maternity Pay? Advertisement READ MORE ON KARREN BRADY I'm trying to deal with the physical, mental and financial changes to my life this pregnancy is going to bring, and I can't decide the best way to move forward. Help! Gracie, via email A: Congratulations on your pregnancy, and also on your new role! Advertisement Most read in Fabulous It's completely understandable to feel uncertain about how to navigate this situation. When it comes to telling your new employer, remember that your pregnancy is a personal matter. West Ham chief Karren Brady has her say on VAR in Premier League and predicts 'a season of anger and confusion' Legally, you're not required to tell your new employer until 15 weeks before your due date, but being open early on can build trust, especially in a senior role. When you do, focus on expressing your excitement for the role and your commitment to contributing, while also being transparent about your maternity leave plans. Advertisement As for staying in your current job to qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), that's a valid option if you've been there long enough and need the financial security. You likely won't qualify for SMP from the new employer, but you may qualify for Maternity Allowance. Visit for details, and consider talking to HR or a financial adviser. Ultimately, weigh the long-term benefits of the new role against the shorter-term needs of your pregnancy. Advertisement This is an exciting time, so try not to let work stress overshadow it. Good luck! Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@
The Independent
30-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MSP makes Mother's Day call urging UK Government to extend maternity pay
The Scottish Greens are urging the UK Government to support the next generation by extending maternity and paternity pay and shared parental leave. Gillian Mackay MSP, who is expecting her first child this summer, marked Mother's Day by calling for support to be expanded to cover 52 weeks of full pay. She said that too many people are being forced to decide against having children for financial reasons and that those who want a family 'should not be deterred by poor parental pay'. The MSP suggested that expanding support for statutory maternity, paternity and shared parental leave could be paid for through wealth taxes. She said: 'The early days of a child's life are vital, and every new parent should have the opportunity to spend quality time with them and to introduce them to the world. 'But many are unable to do so in the way they want to and are being forced back to work early. 'This Mother's Day, the UK Government could make a big difference for expectant parents by expanding maternity and paternity pay and offering them far greater peace of mind and stability. 'Statutory maternity pay in the UK is far too low, and lags far behind many other European countries. 'A lot of young workers, in particular, are finding themselves squeezed, with far too many forced to decide against having a family or delaying doing so for financial reasons. 'Not everybody will want to have children, but people who do should not be deterred by poor parental pay. 'Particularly at a time when household bills and living costs are going up, we should be supporting parents and ensuring that babies are given the best start in life. 'By increasing support for parents and putting money in their pockets we can support our next generation and spread opportunity.' Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks at 90% of the mother's average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks. This is followed by £184.03 or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks. Statutory paternity leave is paid for two weeks and is either £184.03 a week or 90% of the person's average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). Shared Parental Leave allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between them. The UK Government said the standard rate of parental payments is reviewed annually at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. From April 2025, the rate will increase by September 2024's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure of 1.7%, from £184.03 to £187.18 per week (2025/26). A UK Government spokesperson said: 'This Government wants new mothers to be able to take time away from work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth and are entitled to 52 weeks of leave and 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. 'Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance are uprated each year and are only one element of support available for pregnant women and new mothers, who may also be eligible for Universal Credit or Child Benefit. 'As we fix the foundations of the economy, we're uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by making changes to Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households and make everyone better off.'
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MSP makes Mother's Day call urging UK Government to extend maternity pay
The Scottish Greens are urging the UK Government to support the next generation by extending maternity and paternity pay and shared parental leave. Gillian Mackay MSP, who is expecting her first child this summer, marked Mother's Day by calling for support to be expanded to cover 52 weeks of full pay. She said that too many people are being forced to decide against having children for financial reasons and that those who want a family 'should not be deterred by poor parental pay'. The MSP suggested that expanding support for statutory maternity, paternity and shared parental leave could be paid for through wealth taxes. She said: 'The early days of a child's life are vital, and every new parent should have the opportunity to spend quality time with them and to introduce them to the world. 'But many are unable to do so in the way they want to and are being forced back to work early. 'This Mother's Day, the UK Government could make a big difference for expectant parents by expanding maternity and paternity pay and offering them far greater peace of mind and stability. 'Statutory maternity pay in the UK is far too low, and lags far behind many other European countries. 'A lot of young workers, in particular, are finding themselves squeezed, with far too many forced to decide against having a family or delaying doing so for financial reasons. 'Not everybody will want to have children, but people who do should not be deterred by poor parental pay. 'Particularly at a time when household bills and living costs are going up, we should be supporting parents and ensuring that babies are given the best start in life. 'By increasing support for parents and putting money in their pockets we can support our next generation and spread opportunity.' Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks at 90% of the mother's average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks. This is followed by £184.03 or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks. Statutory paternity leave is paid for two weeks and is either £184.03 a week or 90% of the person's average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). Shared Parental Leave allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between them. The UK Government said the standard rate of parental payments is reviewed annually at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. From April 2025, the rate will increase by September 2024's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure of 1.7%, from £184.03 to £187.18 per week (2025/26). A UK Government spokesperson said: 'This Government wants new mothers to be able to take time away from work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth and are entitled to 52 weeks of leave and 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. 'Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance are uprated each year and are only one element of support available for pregnant women and new mothers, who may also be eligible for Universal Credit or Child Benefit. 'As we fix the foundations of the economy, we're uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by making changes to Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households and make everyone better off.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DWP will pay certain new mums £184 a week
Expecting and new mums can claim almost £200 a week in extra support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), if they meet certain requirements. Maternity Allowance is a payment that is aimed at supporting new mums financially so they can take time off work to have their baby. You can receive Maternity Allowance as long as you are either employed and don't receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), self-employed, or recently stopped working. In total, you could get up to £184.03 per week through Maternity Allowance which can last for up to 39 weeks in some cases, resulting in £7,117.17 overall. It's important to note though that due to the 39 week maximum limit, if you took a full 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave, the final 13 weeks will be unpaid. READ MORE: DWP awarding 1.5 million PIP claimants with four conditions ongoing payments up to £737 READ MORE: Five reasons DWP will cut or stop protected payments after moving to Universal Credit You can receive Maternity Allowance as soon as you've been pregnant for 26 weeks with payments starting any time between the 11th week before the baby is due and the day after it is born. In order to be eligible you must meet one of the following criteria: You were employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due You were registered as self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due In the case that you were employed, your earnings must have been at least either £30 week for at least 13 weeks of your employment - official guidance states that these weeks do not have to be concurrent. Furthermore, if you have had different jobs or periods of unemployment, this won't automatically make you ineligible for Maternity Allowance. In the case that you tragically lose the baby, you could still receive maternity Allowance as long as the baby was either born alive at any point during the pregnancy or was stillborn from the start of the 24th week of the pregnancy. You can calculate how much you could get for free online with the maternity entitlement calculator. Maternity Allowance could affect some other benefits and may change your payments. This can include: Carer Support Payment Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - this will stop if you get Maternity Allowance Housing Benefit Council Tax Reduction Carer's Allowance bereavement benefits Universal Credit However, while payments could change, official guidance states that payments will generally either go up or stay the same. In order to make a claim for Maternity Allowance, you will need to fill in an MA1 form which you can print out here. You will also need to provide proof of your income and proof of the baby's due date and birth.
