How do I go about this?

[SinkingSwim]

I am currently on maternity leave, my pay stops in May. Due to money circumstances I am keen to get back into work ASAP as we won't be able to afford it with me not getting paid. I have found another job, with hours that work perfectly around my family and childcare. There is no chance of me going back to my current job, I always planned to leave. How will it work if I hand my notice in to the current job? I would have to give a months notice, however the job I have been offered would like me to start next week. Can I request to end my notice period early?

You can always ask but they don’t have to agree. What they will actually do if you leave early is another matter as some companies will do nothing and some will try and take action against you
Your new employer should really have allowed for a notice period though
Also check if you have to repay any additional maternity pay etc if you don’t return after may leave

I may be out of touch but you can be on mat leave from 1 job and work for another employer..
What does your contract with your current employer say about additional employment?
You are entitled to the SMP, you have earned it - you wont lose the remainder of the SMP, but to be fair to your current employer, let them know the situation so they can make the plans & appoint a permanent replacement.

I think you accrue holiday whilst on ML, if you're FT that could be 2 weeks which you might be able to use as part of your notice. It depends on your industry but I suspect most employers would rather you didn't come back at all rather than go back for a few weeks.

I would have to give a months notice, however the job I have been offered would like me to start next week.

Are your new employers pressuring you to do this? fine to ask, but pressuring you to sort this out urgently with a week's notice doesn't bode well.

most permanent, salaried positions in office work (which i assume this is) come with a 1 month notice period, if not longer. some employers i've had offered a 3 month notice period as standard - which seems ridiculous for some junior positions, so it was very often negotiated down.

but make sure that your new employer isn't pressuring you to start with a negative financial or reputational impact to yourself. if they were that desperate for someone to start next week why didn't they start to recruit sooner? why the pressure, are they badly run etc?

maybe it's nothing, but the way your post reads.. i see it as your new employer trying to push their business problems into being your problem to solve.. fine to accommodate if possible.. but that's not always realistic.

(speaking as a hiring manager here.)