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Petitions and activism

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Better maternity pay in uk

36 replies

nick4elena · 13/02/2014 21:37

Dear all
there's a petition on government site. Have a look sign if you agree and share.

epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/60054

OP posts:
DinoSnores · 14/02/2014 09:59

"A study found that new mothers get six weeks of statutory maternity pay at 90% of their wage while elsewhere in Europe the average for new mothers is 43 weeks."

It is not very clear what exactly you are campaigning for, particularly as your statement on the website as given above is slightly ingenuous.

SMP here is 90% of wages for 6 weeks then the lower of 90% of their wages or £136.78 for the next 33 weeks, so there is some pay for 39 weeks.

It isn't clear what women are getting elsewhere in Europe for 43 weeks.

Original poster
nick4elena · 14/02/2014 10:37

Isn't obvious? New mothers get 90% of the salary for 43 weeks..and if you think 136.78 a week is going to help a mother and child pay for food,gas,electricity and council tax..u must be living in gaga land...I guess if I didn't work,if I didn't stay with the father of the child I would get help. So here's your new fucked up generation

OP posts:
OP posts:
OP posts:
MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 14/02/2014 10:43

Hello

We've moved this to 'Petitions and online campaigns', as we rarely allow posts about online petitions in other topics.

Original poster
nick4elena · 14/02/2014 10:45

Thank you.

OP posts:
oliviaoctopus · 14/02/2014 10:45

Im really surprised other countries get so much more as I always thought ours was really generous.

Pointeshoes · 14/02/2014 10:55

I think it's quite generous tbh. I mean, we chose to have children don't we. And you can go back to work early if you want to.

Original poster
nick4elena · 14/02/2014 12:01

Yes we choose to have children but do you honestly think £136 is enough for a mother and child to live ? And why would I go back to work early...my baby needs me...and the father. .

OP posts:
Original poster
nick4elena · 14/02/2014 12:11

epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/60054

OP posts:
givemeaclue · 14/02/2014 12:13

Surely it is for the parents to provide for their children rather than the govt? I wouldn't expect people to live on £136 because I would expect at least one of them to be working

TravellingToad · 14/02/2014 12:16

Parents should provide for their children not just the taxpayers.

What if I want a dog? Who will pay for that?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 14/02/2014 12:20

I think it would be fantastic to have more OP. The issue is that, unlike, eg Scandinavian countries, we have a very capitalist outlook and frown upon state benefits. To get better maternity benefits ( NHS, schools, childcare) taxes would need to be raised. In this country people would rather have low taxes and no state welfare.

hootloop · 14/02/2014 12:49

I am sorry but I also think our maternity pay is generous. I am a SAHM, I did not return to work told work this before leaving and still got 6 weeks at 90% and a further 18 at SMP which I believe was £ 104 ish.
I am sure it works out to about 20 hours at minimum wage. Some people earn less than that as part time working mums.

MyNameIsKenAdams · 14/02/2014 13:25

You cant compare choosing to have a baby to choosing to have a dog - babies become adults in n the future to continue the human race.

Imo yes, we choose to have a baby, or choose not to, but if there was no financial support to new parents, many if not most, would literally not beable to afford to get pregnant.

It is in the governments best interest to have us reproducing.

I think it should be minimum wage of however many hours you are contracted, for six months, with the option of another six months unpaid, but meh. Im not a PM Grin

expatinscotland · 14/02/2014 13:28

I won't be singing this. I support extended shared parental leave rather than more maternity benefits.

Bramshott · 14/02/2014 13:38

I'm in two minds about this, and not sure it's the right time given everything else that's being cut, but if anyone's interested in some of the facts and figures behind this headline, there's a lot of info in this TUC press release

TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals · 14/02/2014 13:42

I'm a bit surprised - i really thought that the UK was paid quite generously but only compared to the US I suppose. I knew that Canada and Germany were better though - Canada has 3 months pat leave I believe, I would prefer that to more leave for women.

Vickiyumyum · 14/02/2014 13:49

Sorry I won't be signing, I think the maternity payments are quite generous already. You can not compare the UK to Sweden and the likes as we don't have the same infrastructure or the same level of taxing and pay.

For generations women gave up work as soon as they were pregnant or when they were due and didn't go back to work. We are fortunate enough now to have the choice to return to work and for our working rights to be protected.

Statutory maternity pay is quite generous in my eyes (mother of 4 dc, and made use of statutory maternity pay for all of them)

Mojang · 14/02/2014 14:09

"Yes we choose to have children but do you honestly think £136 is enough for a mother and child to live ?"

No, I expect people to take responsibility for supporting their own families and choices and to have sorted out how they're going to finance whatever leave the deem appropriate before they go on ML.

ML is generous already and very inconvenient/expensive for employers(or would the taxpayer fund your proposals?) The country can't afford it and I think it would be counter productive for women. There are enough reasons not to employ a woman of childbearing age already. I know, it shouldn't happen but it does and improving maternity pay will only make it harder for women in the workplace.

Absolutely right that the option to take leave has been extended but unreasonable to expect anyone but the parents to pay for it IMO

romlish · 14/02/2014 16:28

The country cant afford it" what a joke...cant afford to look after their own people? The new generation? If we can afford to give so much money on charities abroad... now i say yes parents to be should be prepared for extra expenses but £136 a week is a joke...

romlish · 14/02/2014 16:30

I've sign it...and i truly believe that eu countries got it right to look after the young generation. ..t

Mojang · 14/02/2014 16:35

Fair enough..Do you enjoy paying your taxes romlish, want to pay a bit more? Fancy a world where women in their 20s and 30s can't find work/be promoted?

romlish · 14/02/2014 16:41

I don't mind paying taxes for the new generation. ..and how on earth these young girls survive in all the other countries where u get an average of 6 months 90% of your salary. .tut tut...