Thank you for contacting me about maternity leave and maternity pay.
As Chair of the All-Party-Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Baby Loss and a member of the APPG on Women’s health, this is an issue I care about deeply.
I have been pressing Ministers on this issue, and I am pleased that the UK’s Maternity Leave offer is now amongst the most generous in the world – up to 52 weeks of leave are available, 39 weeks of which are paid.
As you may know, under Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay, eligible parents receive 90 per cent of normal earnings for the first 6 weeks, followed by up to 33 weeks at the statutory flat rate (£151.20 per week).
In 2019, the Government consulted on reforming parental leave and pay. It also conducted a formal evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, including large-scale, representative surveys of employers and parents. I understand the feedback from this consultation is helping inform government thinking as proposals are brought forward.
As part of the evaluation of Shared Parental Leave and Pay, the Government commissioned large, representative, surveys of parents and employees which asked about a broad range of parental leave and pay entitlements` including high-level options for reform. The information collected is providing a fuller picture of how well the current system of parental leave and pay is working for parents and employers.
I will continue to press the Government closely on this issue and share your views.
Thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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