UK Maternity Pay

[Starmoon]

I'm also a government worker like the NHS girlies above (civilian police staff) and we get 12 weeks at 50% PLUS SMP. You are entitled to SMP from week 6 (which the company will claim back from the government) and the 50% wages is a sweetner on top of that from the company so I can't see why you wouldn't be entitled to both. The only catch is that I have to go back to work after mat leave for 3 months otherwise I will have to pay that money back.

The only thing I'm not sure about is whether that 50% is calculated pre-tax or after tax. (hopefully pre tax!!!!)

xx

Blondey mine is exactly the same as yours, down to the fact that I have to go back for at least 3 months or I owe them some money back. I am sure the 50% is both pre tax and after tax (you get paid half your wages and then get taxed on that 50%) hope that made sense!

 

[secretbaby]

System is totally weighted against dual parent families who work. We have always paid our taxes and our way and yet get screwed at every opportunity. I know many families in our area who have never worked, will never work and are raking it in.. makes me so mad.

My mat pay is a joke.

 

[tommyg]

System is totally weighted against dual parent families who work. We have always paid our taxes and our way and yet get screwed at every opportunity. I know many families in our area who have never worked, will never work and are raking it in.. makes me so mad.

My mat pay is a joke.

You are right the system doesn't help families who work. What I would really like to see would be for one partner to be able to make use of BOTH tax allowances if they are the sole earner and the other partner looks after the children.

I am just glad the torys have stopped the surestart grant for 2nd babies. I can't believe that we were paying income support familes £500 for each baby. Most other families have to use the same equipment for 2nd or 3rd children. And I am sure that encouraged some families to keep on having kids and claiming more benefits for them.

I also know a very young mum of 3 on benefits who asked to be sterilised as she felt she couldn't cope with any more (twice she got pregnant on the pill) and was told NO because she was too young.

But at the same time I am grateful that we actually get a materniaty allowance / pay if you read around this forum you'll realised that a lot of the American ladies get nothing.

Rant over