Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the rate of Statutory Maternity Pay in meeting living costs; and whether the parental leave and pay review is considering options for linking maternity pay to earnings, the National Living Wage, or other measures of income.

Maternity pay provides a measure of financial security to enable women to take time away from work in the later stages of pregnancy and following childbirth.

The Government recognises the pressures facing many new parents, which is why we are conducting a parental leave and pay review. All parental leave and pay provisions are in scope of the review, including Statutory Maternity Pay. The review will conclude in early 2027 with set of findings and next steps for potential reforms.