Maternity pay when a bank member of staff

[Lemonyfire]

Hi for context I I have been working bank 10 hours a week since October 2024, I also work self employed as well.

I'm 11 weeks pregnant and where I'm bank I'm entitled to SMP.
Although I usually work my 10 hours a week, over summer I'm having some time off and believe that will put me in the determining weeks for how much I earn etc. Can someone advise what happens in this scenario as I will be earning 1/4 of what I usually would but it's not representative of the rest of the year if that makes sense!

Sorry this is all new to me, I left my permanent NHS job when we lost our daughter in pregnancy last year needing the flexibility and I've always had a permanent contract during pregnancies before

https://www.workrightscentre.org/news/do-the-statutory-maternity-pay-rules-discriminate-against-low-paid-pregnant-workers

my understanding is that you will be disadvantaged perhaps to the point of getting no smp at all if you don’t work your normal hrs in the qualifying period.

It doesn’t matter that it’s not representative; sadly, your qualifying weeks will be used. Can you cancel the time off?

Thanks so much.
I can cancel time off but a) I need the break and b) it's school holidays where I'll have to source childcare at a greater cost 😭

So to clarify if I earn the required amount £123 weekly even if not doing my usual amount, that would still be okay, I'm wondering if I try and add in a couple of days

You’d still be disadvantaged as 90% of a lower amount will obviously be less! But you would qualify. I know staff where I work who can take overtime hours go the other way and try to out earn their average during these weeks.

Thanks all, I worked out the exact weeks that will be counted, have worked out how much I'll be paid, upped the hours I'll work by 5 and it comes to around £170 average weekly earnings pre tax so I should be fine, it's not a very fair system!
This is the first time in 15 years I've not been in a 'permanent' role so didn't really expect it to be so awkward!