Boss said he would top up SMP

[Bellaboo89]

Hello, when I first met with my boss to discuss my maternity leave and do risk assessment, he said to me he would do what he can to top up SMP as he knows how bad it is. I was really greatful for this offer and expressed that to him. Have followed up this again on 3 more separate occasions, one face to face, once jn a message and one in an email, asking if he could give me an idea of what that will look like so I can financially plan with my partner.
I'm now due to start my Mat leave in 17 days and he's not replied to my email asking what his intention is with his suggestion....I am the first person to be pregnant in this company and we are a small business of 8 employers but he said to me in that first meeting, face to face and in a text message that he will work out what he can top up....do I have any rights in this situation after he's made a commitment in so many ways to top up and I am relying on it in ways and he's said he would....has anyone had this experience or knows what I could do etc?
Many thanks

I think he said something out of kindness that he can't follow through on, and is embarrassed. Sorry girl x

He said " do what he can", hardly a guarantee of paying extra
Also anything not in writing will be tricky to enforce

He hasn't made you any commitment and even if he'd said he would top it up (which he hasn't) it could be anything from an extra £10 to full pay for nine months to fulfil this promise - you can't really say you have made plans based on this. For starters you were already pregnant!

It's poor that he's trying to avoid telling you he can't, it would be better to give you a straight answer, but if that's what he's doing you just have to assume it's SMP only, which was what you thought it was to start with.

I’m guessing he’s worked out he can’t top up anything, and as no concrete amount or even commitment to actually pay any amount was made, I don’t think there’s any real recourse. The not responding isn’t good though but I think he’s probably avoiding the issue as he’s realised he can’t or is not willing to pay anything extra but is putting off having that discussion.

I would expect to be on SMP and anything subsequently is a bonus.

I guess I just really dislike the fact that he offered it, then isn't addressing it at all and just avoiding it. Like why offer anything if there's a potential to not follow through....

Also, sorry if not clear I'm not relying on this top up it's more I'm asking for a figure and answer from him so that I can financially plan with a number in mind, that's additional to having already planned for SMP. Tbh he's so useless as a boss I'm not sure why I expected anything more