Almost 29,000 families in Scotland received maternity pay last year worth over £200 million, as per official figures. The Department of Work and Pensions disclosed that in 2022-23, £206.3 million was paid in maternity pay to 24,900 families in Scotland. Additionally, 4,540 families benefited from Maternity Allowance, with the allowance totalling £19.1 million in the same period.
Statutory maternity pay typically starts at 90 per cent of average weekly earnings for six weeks before reducing to either £184.03 or 90 per cent of the mother’s average salary for the following 33 weeks. Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, up for a second reading this week, aims to encompass an additional 1.5 million parents by making Parental Leave a right from the first day of work.
The bill also aims to introduce new protections for pregnant women, as it is estimated that around 4,000 pregnant women and mothers returning from Maternity Leave are dismissed each year. These developments come in light of recent remarks by Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch, who referred to maternity pay as “excessive.”
Responding to this, Scottish Labour MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, Melanie Ward, emphasised the importance of maternity pay, stating that it supported nearly 29,000 families in Scotland last year. Ward highlighted the significance of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill in providing more security for working families and aiming to promote growth.
Ward stressed that the new bill would offer enhanced protections for pregnant women and contribute towards creating a better working environment for families, ultimately fostering the growth needed in the country. These measures seek to address the challenges faced by pregnant women and mothers in the workforce, ensuring a more supportive and inclusive working environment for all.
In summary, the official figures reveal the significant impact of maternity pay on Scottish families, prompting legislative initiatives to enhance rights and protections for working parents, underscoring the importance of supporting families within the workforce for societal and economic growth.