Childcare vouchers whilst on Maternity Leave

[Tinker22]

Hi - I'm due to go on maternity leave in a couple of months and my employer have informed me that they are not going to substitue the payment of childcare vouchers whilst i am off work. Work only pay SMP so I will not be earning any money from which I can pay childcare vouchers myself. I was my understanding that your employer was not able to take away non-cash benefits which included childcare vouchers. I have been left with the option of raising a sex discrimination claim against work in order to get what I understand I'm legally entitled to.
Has anyone had any similar experiences to this or any further information on this topic?
Thanks B

Thank you for the response. No I have not opted out.

Just to confirm - a contract cannot override employment law. If there is a conflict between your contract and the law, the law wins every time.

Agreed prh47. However, there is nothing to prevent an individual electing to change their non-cash benefits ahead of their mat leave. I have only seen people reduce the amount of non-cash benefit, however there may nothing to prevent an individual maxing them out. An employer on the other hand cannot compel an individual to change their selection.

Tinker22 - do you know whether you use pension salary exchange? If you do then all contributions are considered to be employer contributions and must continue too throughout your leave

Thank you for everyone's help on this topic. After a very long 'battle' with work they have finally agreed that they will pay CCV whilst on mat leave. I did doubt at some points wether it was worth the stress. But I am pleased I stuck to what I knew was right. Thank you again everyone

So glad you have finally got to the happy place! I am still fighting with my employee who says I have to pay them back at the end of my mat leave. Hopefully I will be able to post a happy post soon!