Guides › Work and Employment › Maternity Leave and Statutory Maternity Pay 2026
Maternity Leave and Statutory Maternity Pay 2026
Statutory Maternity Leave is up to 52 weeks. You must take at least 2 weeks after the birth (4 if you work in a factory). 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% of your earnings, whichever is lower, for 33 weeks.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Maternity Leave
Length
52 weeks: 26 weeks of Ordinary and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave. You do not have to take it all. You must take 2 weeks after the birth, or 4 if you work in a factory. source
When It Starts
Usually no earlier than 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. It starts the day after the birth if the baby is early, or automatically if you are off with a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before the due week. Give 8 weeks' notice to change your return date. source
Statutory Maternity Pay
The Amount
First 6 weeks: 90% of average weekly earnings before tax. Next 33 weeks: £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Paid through your wages with tax and National Insurance taken off. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- £194.32Weekly SMP rateAfter the first 6 weeks
- 11 weeksEarliest startBefore the expected week of childbirth
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Tell your employer you are pregnant and when you want leave to start.
Step 2 of 4
Give them your MATB1 certificate.
Step 3 of 4
Check your SMP on your payslips.
Step 4 of 4
If you do not qualify for SMP, ask about Maternity Allowance.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Maternity Pay and Leave (GOV.UK)
The official rules.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Being treated badly because you are pregnant or on maternity leave is discrimination.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
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If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/leave Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/pay Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026