Statutory Maternity Pay and maternity leave in the UK
The rate, the 26-week and £129 rules, the notice dates, and the calculation the maternity pay calculator does, explained so you can check your own figure.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
As of October 2026, Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% if lower for 33 weeks. You need average earnings of at least £129 a week and 26 weeks with your employer by the 15th week before your due week.
Leave and pay are two different rights
Maternity leave is your right to be away from work and return to your job. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is the money your employer pays while you are away. You can have one without the other: leave depends only on being an employee and giving notice, while pay depends on how long you have worked and how much you earn.
Statutory Maternity Leave: the rules
- 52 weeks in total: 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave, then 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave. You do not have to take them all.
- 2 weeks after the birth are compulsory (4 weeks if you work in a factory).
- Who: employees, not "workers", who give the right notice. Length of service, hours and pay do not matter.
- Earliest start: usually 11 weeks before your expected week of childbirth (the Sunday-to-Saturday week your due date falls in).
- Automatic start: the day after the birth if your baby is early, or if you are off sick with a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before your due week.
- Notice: at least 15 weeks before your due date, tell your employer the due date and your start date. They must confirm your dates in writing within 28 days.
- Changing your return date: at least 8 weeks' notice.
Your rights to pay rises, holiday building up and returning to work are protected throughout.
SMP rates as of October 2026
| Period | What you get |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 6 | 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax, no upper limit |
| Weeks 7 to 39 | £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if lower |
| Weeks 40 to 52 | Unpaid by law |
SMP is paid the same way as your wages, with tax and National Insurance deducted.
Do you qualify for SMP?
You must:
- earn on average at least £129 a week before tax. Your employer works out the average over an 8-week "relevant period";
- have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks continuing into the qualifying week, which is the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth;
- give the correct notice and proof of pregnancy.
You still qualify if your baby is born early, is stillborn after the start of the 24th week, or dies after birth. If your employer decides you do not qualify, they must give you form SMP1 within 7 days of their decision, explaining why. Keep it: it is part of your Maternity Allowance claim.
How the maternity pay calculator works: three examples
GOV.UK's maternity planner and your payroll give the official figure. The logic is simple enough to check by hand.
Aisha earns £600 a week.
| Period | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 6 | 90% of £600 = £540 x 6 | £3,240.00 |
| Weeks 7 to 39 | £540 is above £194.32, so £194.32 x 33 | £6,412.56 |
| Total before tax | £9,652.56 |
Beth earns £200 a week. 90% of £200 is £180, which is below £194.32, so she receives £180 a week for all 39 weeks: £7,020 before tax and National Insurance.
Chloe earns £120 a week. That is below the £129 average, so she cannot get SMP. Her employer gives her form SMP1 and she applies for Maternity Allowance.
Good to know. Many employers pay more than SMP through a company (occupational) maternity scheme, for example full pay for some weeks. They can never pay less than the statutory amounts. Ask HR for the policy in writing and check whether you must return to work for a set time to keep the enhanced part.
Claiming SMP, step by step
- Use the GOV.UK maternity planner to find your expected week of childbirth and qualifying week.
- At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell your employer about the pregnancy and your leave start date.
- From 20 weeks before your due date, your midwife or doctor can give you your MatB1 certificate.
- At least 28 days before you want SMP to start, tell your employer the date (in writing if they ask).
- Within 21 days of your SMP start date, hand over your MatB1 or a letter from your doctor or midwife. Without proof of pregnancy, no SMP.
- Your employer confirms within 28 days how much you will get and when it starts and stops.
If the figure looks wrong, ask your employer to explain. If you still disagree, or your employer cannot pay, contact the Statutory Payment Disputes Team, as GOV.UK advises.
A worked date example
Due date Wednesday 14 April 2027: the expected week of childbirth runs from Sunday 11 to Saturday 17 April 2027. The qualifying week is Sunday 27 December 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027. Tell your employer by Wednesday 30 December 2026 at the latest. The earliest possible start of maternity leave is Sunday 24 January 2027.
Keeping in touch and sharing the leave
You can work up to 10 optional "keeping in touch" days during maternity leave without ending it. And if you would like your partner to take some of the year, you can end your leave early and turn the rest into Shared Parental Leave. Your partner can also take two weeks of paternity leave.
Questions parents ask
How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026?
As of October 2026, SMP is 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax for 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% of your earnings, whichever is lower, for the next 33 weeks.
Is Statutory Maternity Pay taxable?
Yes. SMP is paid like your wages, weekly or monthly, and tax and National Insurance are deducted.
Who pays statutory maternity pay?
Your employer pays SMP through payroll. If you cannot get it, your employer gives you form SMP1 and you can claim Maternity Allowance from the government instead.
How long is maternity leave in the UK?
Statutory Maternity Leave is 52 weeks. SMP covers up to 39 of them; the last 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer has a more generous scheme. You must take at least 2 weeks after the birth (4 in a factory).
Can I get SMP if I have only just started my job?
Not if you will not have 26 weeks of continuous employment by the qualifying week. You still get maternity leave from day one, and you may qualify for Maternity Allowance.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Maternity pay and leave: pay checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Maternity pay and leave: eligibility checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Maternity pay and leave: leave checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Maternity pay and leave: how to claim checked October 13, 2026
- GOV.UK — Employers, Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave (8-week relevant period) checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.