Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what maternity pay is received by (a) junior doctors, (b) teachers, (c) police officers and (d) firefighters.

Some employers provide occupational maternity pay (OMP), with payments offset against any statutory maternity pay (SMP) or maternity allowance payable during the relevant periods.

For junior doctors, SMP is 90% of average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks and £139.58 or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks. OMP is eight weeks at full pay and 18 weeks at half pay. Eligibility requirements include 12 months continuous service.

The “Conditions of Service for Schoolteachers in England and Wales” provide for maternity pay that includes: four weeks at full pay; two weeks at 90% pay; and 12 weeks at half pay without deductions. Eligibility requirements include one year’s continuous employment.

For police officers, OMP is 18 weeks at full pay; or officers can elect for 13 weeks at full pay and 10 weeks at half pay. Eligibility requirements include 63 weeks continuous service.

For firefighters, maternity pay includes: six weeks at 90% pay and 12 weeks at half pay. Eligibility requirements include a year’s continuous service.