UK · 2026/27 Statutory Rates
UK Maternity Leave & Pay 2026
Every pregnant employee in the UK is entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of length of service. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 of those weeks if you meet the qualifying conditions.
Calculators
Maternity pay calculator →
Pregnant and planning your finances? See your full 39-week UK Statutory Maternity Pay week by week from your average earnings.
Paternity pay calculator →
Taking paternity leave? Find out exactly what you'll receive for 1 or 2 weeks under UK law, based on your earnings.
Adoption pay calculator →
Adopting a child? Calculate your full 39-week UK Statutory Adoption Pay entitlement from your average weekly earnings.
Shared parental leave pay calculator →
Splitting parental leave with your partner? See how much each of you will receive across up to 37 shared pay weeks.
How Statutory Maternity Pay works
SMP is paid by your employer (who then reclaims 92% from HMRC, or 103% if they qualify as a small employer). It is paid for up to 39 weeks and has two distinct phases:
- First 6 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE), calculated over 8 weeks ending in the 15th week before your due date.
- Remaining 33 weeks: £184.03/week (2026/27) or 90% of AWE, whichever is lower.
SMP is taxable earnings — income tax and NI apply in the same way as normal pay.
Qualifying conditions
To qualify for SMP you must:
- Have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks ending in the 15th week before your baby is due (the "qualifying week")
- Earn on average at least £125/week (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2026/27) in the 8-week reference period
- Provide your employer with 28 days' notice of when you intend to start maternity leave, plus a MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor
Maternity Allowance
If you do not qualify for SMP — for example, because you recently changed employer, are self-employed, or earn below the Lower Earnings Limit — you may qualify for Maternity Allowance from the government, paid at £184.03/week (or 90% of AWE if lower) for up to 39 weeks.
Your right to return to work
After Ordinary Maternity Leave (first 26 weeks), you have the right to return to the same job on the same terms. After Additional Maternity Leave (weeks 27–52), you have the right to return to the same job or, if that is not reasonably practicable, a suitable alternative on equivalent terms. You cannot be dismissed or selected for redundancy because you are pregnant or on maternity leave — this is automatically unfair dismissal with no qualifying period.
Shared Parental Leave
After the first two weeks of compulsory maternity leave, SMP and maternity leave can be curtailed and converted into Shared Parental Leave (ShPL) and Shared Parental Pay (ShPP), enabling the other parent to share up to 37 weeks of leave and 35 weeks of pay at £184.03/week (or 90% of AWE if lower).
Common questions
Can I be made redundant while on maternity leave?
Yes, but only in very specific circumstances — and you have stronger rights than other employees. You must be offered any suitable alternative vacancy before it is offered to anyone else.
Can I be sacked while pregnant in the UK?
Dismissing an employee because of pregnancy or maternity is automatically unfair and unlawful sex discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. This is a day-one right — no qualifying period required.