{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/779259.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":779259,"attributes":{"action":"Make statutory maternity pay 90% of wage for first 12 weeks & minimum wage after","background":"We believe mothers should never be forced back to work because maternity leave is unaffordable. UK SMP is among Europe’s least generous, falling to around 41% of minimum wage after 6 weeks. The Government should fix this and give mothers 12 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay at 90% of their salary. ","additional_details":"It is estimated that between 2023-26, SMP rose by just 12.7%, whilst the National Living Wage rose by 22%. We are concerned the gap is widening. It was estimated that the proportion of mothers returning earlier to work for financial reasons rose from 42% in 2022 to 58% in 2023. \r\n  \r\nPublic research links maternity leave under 12 weeks to greater depression, poorer maternal wellbeing & lower sensitivity to a baby’s needs. Low SMP can hit low-income families hardest, forcing mothers back before they’re ready. We feel Statutory Maternity Leave for 12 weeks at 90% of salary, and the National Minimum Wage for the remainder, are the absolute minimum families deserve. ","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":16,"closing_date":"2027-03-14","created_at":"2026-08-10T12:22:13.932Z","updated_at":"2026-09-14T23:03:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-09-14T09:11:41.598Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-08-10T19:00:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Joeli Brearley","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"DWP","name":"Department for Work and Pensions","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"Germany","code":"DE","signature_count":1},{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":15}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Bath","ons_code":"E14001080","mp":"Wera Hobhouse MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Farnham and Bordon","ons_code":"E14001234","mp":"Gregory Stafford MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hitchin","ons_code":"E14001289","mp":"Alistair Strathern MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Leeds North East","ons_code":"E14001321","mp":"Fabian Hamilton MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"Lewisham East","ons_code":"E14001331","mp":"Janet Daby MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Liverpool Wavertree","ons_code":"E14001340","mp":"Paula Barker MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Luton South and South Bedfordshire","ons_code":"E14001346","mp":"Rachel Hopkins MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"North Shropshire","ons_code":"E14001398","mp":"Helen Morgan MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Richmond Park","ons_code":"E14001445","mp":"Sarah Olney MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Salisbury","ons_code":"E14001460","mp":"Rt Hon John Glen MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Stockport","ons_code":"E14001517","mp":"Navendu Mishra MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Watford","ons_code":"E14001568","mp":"Matt Turmaine MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"York Outer","ons_code":"E14001605","mp":"Mr Luke Charters MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":2},{"name":"Yorkshire and The Humber","ons_code":"D","signature_count":3},{"name":"West Midlands","ons_code":"F","signature_count":1},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":3},{"name":"London","ons_code":"H","signature_count":2},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":1},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":3}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}