--- title: "UK Maternity Pay 2026: Statutory Rates & Your Rights | Nursery Advice" description: "Statutory Maternity Pay 2026 explained — weekly rate, eligibility, MA, shared parental leave and KIT days. Plain-English UK guide for new parents." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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Plain-English UK guide for new parents.", "datePublished": "2026-05-31", "dateModified": "2026-05-31", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice editorial team", "url": "/parent-hub/editorial-standards" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "/parent-hub/uk-maternity-pay-guide" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Parent Hub", "item": "/parent-hub" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "UK maternity pay in 2026: what you’re entitled to", "item": "/parent-hub/uk-maternity-pay-guide" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "When does SMP start?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can choose, but it must start no earlier than 11 weeks before your due date and no later than the day after the birth. Most parents start it the day they go on leave." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I pay tax on SMP?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — SMP is treated like normal pay and is subject to tax and NI." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What’s \"enhanced\" maternity pay?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many employers offer more generous maternity pay than the statutory minimum (e.g. full pay for 12 weeks, half pay for 12). It’s contractual, not statutory — check your employee handbook." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can my partner get paid leave?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — Statutory Paternity Pay is 2 weeks at £187.18 or 90% of earnings. Some employers enhance this too." } } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) In this article 1. 1. [Who qualifies for SMP](#eligibility) 2. 2. [Don’t qualify? You may still get Maternity Allowance](#maternity-allowance) 3. 3. [Shared Parental Leave (SPL)](#shared-parental-leave) 4. 4. [KIT days and going back to work](#kit-days) 5. 5. [If something goes wrong](#problems) [Home](/)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)Work & maternity Work & maternity # UK maternity pay in 2026: what you’re entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance, shared parental leave and KIT days — your full UK rights, the current rates, and what to do if your employer isn’t paying correctly. Reviewed by the Nursery Advice editorial team Last updated 31 May 2026 Next review 30 April 2027 [Editorial standards](/parent-hub/editorial-standards) **Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)** is paid for up to **39 weeks**: the first 6 weeks at 90% of your average weekly earnings (no cap), then 33 weeks at **£187.18 per week** or 90% of your earnings (whichever is lower)[1](#source-1). On top of SMP you have the right to **52 weeks of maternity leave** regardless of how long you’ve worked there — 26 weeks of "ordinary" leave and 26 of "additional". ## Who qualifies for SMP You qualify for SMP if, by the end of the 15th week before your due date (the "qualifying week"), you have: - Been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks. - Earned at least £125 a week on average (the "lower earnings limit", 2025–2026 rate). - Given your employer correct notice (at least 28 days before you want pay to start). - Provided proof of pregnancy (a MAT B1 form from your midwife or GP, available from 20 weeks). ## Don’t qualify? You may still get Maternity Allowance Self-employed, recently moved jobs, or earning under the threshold? You may qualify for **Maternity Allowance**: - Paid for up to 39 weeks at £187.18 a week or 90% of earnings. - Need to have worked at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date. - Apply via the DWP from 26 weeks pregnant. ## Shared Parental Leave (SPL) Birth parents can **shorten their maternity leave** and share the remaining time and pay with their partner — up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay. Either parent can take SPL in up to 3 separate blocks, including at the same time. It needs careful planning and 8 weeks’ notice. ACAS has a free guide, and many HR departments will run the numbers for you. ## KIT days and going back to work - You can do up to **10 KIT (Keeping in Touch) days** during maternity leave without losing SMP — paid at your normal rate. - You give your employer at least **8 weeks’ notice** to change the date you return. - You have the right to return to the _same job_ after ordinary leave (first 26 weeks) — or a suitable equivalent after additional leave. - Pay rises that happen while you’re on leave still apply to you. Bonuses that depend on service usually accrue. ## If something goes wrong - If your employer says you don’t qualify and you think you do, ask for it in writing and contact **HMRC’s Statutory Payments Disputes Team**. - If you’re made redundant during maternity leave, you have **enhanced rights** — your employer must offer any suitable alternative role ahead of other candidates. - For discrimination at work because of pregnancy or maternity, Maternity Action and ACAS both offer free advice. ## Frequently asked questions When does SMP start? You can choose, but it must start no earlier than 11 weeks before your due date and no later than the day after the birth. Most parents start it the day they go on leave. Do I pay tax on SMP? Yes — SMP is treated like normal pay and is subject to tax and NI. What’s "enhanced" maternity pay? Many employers offer more generous maternity pay than the statutory minimum (e.g. full pay for 12 weeks, half pay for 12). It’s contractual, not statutory — check your employee handbook. Can my partner get paid leave? Yes — Statutory Paternity Pay is 2 weeks at £187.18 or 90% of earnings. Some employers enhance this too. ## Ready to find a brilliant nursery? Search every Ofsted-registered setting in the UK — by postcode, age group, funded hours and more. [Find a nursery near you →](/search) ## About this guide & sources Every numerical claim in this guide is sourced from UK government, NHS or recognised charity publications. We re-check each source on the article’s review date. 1. GOV.UK — [Maternity pay and leave — Pay](https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/pay) (retrieved 2026-05-14) 2. GOV.UK — [Maternity Allowance — eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance) (retrieved 2026-05-14) ## Keep reading [ Funding & money ### Child Benefit: 2026 rates, eligibility and how to claim Child Benefit is paid to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education). Here are the current rates, how to apply, and why even high earners should claim it. Read guide ](/parent-hub/child-benefit-explained)[ Funding & money ### 30 hours of funded childcare — the 2026 working parents’ guide From September 2025, working parents in England can access up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week from when their child is nine months old. Here’s exactly who qualifies, what counts, and how to apply. Read guide ](/parent-hub/30-hours-free-childcare)[ Funding & money ### Tax-Free Childcare vs childcare vouchers — which saves more? Childcare vouchers closed to new applicants in 2018 but thousands of parents still hold accounts. Should you switch to Tax-Free Childcare? Here’s the maths. Read guide ](/parent-hub/tax-free-childcare-vs-vouchers) [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/) The independent UK nursery directory. Built with Ofsted data, kept current weekly. 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