Maternity Leave

Paid leave taken from employment during pregnancy and subsequent birth. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for eligible employees can be paid for up to 39 weeks, usually as follows:

  • the first 6 weeks: 90% of their average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax
  • the remaining 33 weeks: £139.58 or 90% of their AWE (whichever is lower)
  • Tax and National Insurance need to be deducted.

Figures accurate as of July 2016