Cost of living benefit increases - mat leave

[roarfeckingroarr]

Am I wrong to think that as benefits go up (not criticising this, it's necessary) to combat cost of living, stat mat pay should too? Not everyone has a planned pregnancy or a partner; I'm fortunate in that I have savings so will be fine when after 6 months, my enhanced mat pay (through my employer) drops down to £151 per week. What about women who don't have that cushion or support? Will they not be affected by cost of living?

Are you talking about women who have had artificial insemination? Otherwise all children have fathers, who should be paying maintenance (I know not all do). CMS would be an option for getting something out of the father.

I think you know what I mean. CMS can be bugger all if the father is a low earner or on benefits.

My point is that if other benefits are rising, why isn't maternity pay that's supposed to support a mother when she's vulnerable and focused on raising a tiny baby?

So you're talking about women who can't afford to have a child alone? There are bigger issues than SMP here.

I'm a single parent btw but I made sure I could afford to house, clothe and feed DD before I had her.

It has

I don’t think you’re wrong, mat leave should also increase.

@RainCloud Brava. Me too. Not everyone is as fortunate as us.

@HippeePrincess has it? I hadn't heard anything. Will look now.

It's gone up by £5 per week to £156.66.

That'll go far in this climate.

@roarfeckingroarr

I feel sorry for the child. They're being condemned to a life of poverty and all that entails. How about some personal responsibility from the parents?

@RainCloud not the point of the thread.

@RainCloud in that case, why not abolish child benefit, the child elements of universal credit etc and just have parents take a bit of responsibility? While we're at it, May as well get rid of the safety net entirely - everyone can get a job / better job if they just took more personal responsibility.

How much do you think benefits have gone up?

@raincloud. I'd love for someone to make my ex take some personal responsibility for the children we chose to have together. As my arrears on the cms account are over £20k. Both children with some extra needs and my mental health
In the gutter by him up and leaving and not financially support our children. I'm grateful for the safety net of benefits at a very difficult and challenging time

To be honest SMP has always been an insult to working women even before the cost of living rise. I'm the main earner and had to go back when babies very very small as compared to my wage £150 per week wouldn't pay the mortgage let alone any other basic bills

It should be means tested or at a minimum the 6 weeks at 90% of wage should be extended to at least 12 weeks

@despairingdonut I agree. It's an absolute pittance - an insulting amount for what we are doing with that time.

Basic Employment Support Allowance increased by a whopping £2.70 a week between 2021 and 2022.

Poor show on some of the responses here. Clearly taking OPs post out of context to run with a different narrative

SMP is ridiculous as it is, without the cost of living crisis. It should be increased regardless but I 100% agree it should go up in line with everything else, especially now.

Prices have gone up so much we now rely on two wages coming in for families to survive. You shouldn't have to save for years to cover lost income for raising the next generation. They are already harping on that we're not having enough kids. No wonder!

SMP + childcare costs all need looked at

Yes, SMP is pitiful and it would be great if it was increased further. Especially considering that many employers don’t offer any additional maternity pay, they just provide the legal bare minimum.

There also needs to be something to bridge the gap between SMP ending and childcare funding staring.