The length of statutory maternity pay (SMP) has been steadily increasing from 18, to 26, to 39 weeks over the past few years, and is due to rise again to 52 weeks by the end of this Parliament. No one would argue that SMP is set at a generous level, however, and many employers chose to top up the state minimum in order to retain employees on maternity leave and prevent them having to suffer what can be a severe drop in earnings.

To find out what the going rate for maternity pay is, IRS have put together a short survey asking for the details of your employer’s maternity pay package – whether this is the statutory minimum or more. Please take a few minutes to fill in this survey – and receive a free copy of the report. If you have any questions on the survey, please contact me on 0208 652 2249.