A new set of maternity leave and pay regulations came into effect on 6 April 2026, bringing a slight rise in statutory pay rates but also shedding light on the substantial financial challenges many working mothers continue to face. Despite the increase in weekly statutory maternity pay to £194.32, reports reveal that full-time working mothers may experience an average income shortfall of £15,892 during their maternity leave.
Under the updated Employment Rights Act, statutory maternity pay, paternity pay, adoption pay, shared parental pay, and parental bereavement pay all increased from £187.18 to £194.32 per week. Additionally, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave became a day-one employment right, although eligibility for paternity pay still requires 26 weeks of continuous service.
Maternity allowance also rose to £194.32 per week. Mothers on statutory maternity leave receive 90% of their average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks. For the following 33 weeks, they receive either £194.32 or 90% of their average weekly earnings—whichever is lower. Research from family law firm HCB Widdows Mason illustrates a stark reality: while 90% of average earnings may be around £675.90 per week, the statutory pay cap means many women receive just £194.32.
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Lorraine Watts, a family law solicitor at HCB Widdows Mason, highlights the financial vulnerability exposed by maternity leave: “The income drop of nearly £16,000 combined with a 54% rise in baby essentials creates intense financial pressure at a critical time for families. This strain can place significant stress on relationships, sometimes resulting in breakups.”
Watts underscores that child maintenance laws often fail to cover the true cost of raising a child, leaving primary caregivers bearing long-term financial burdens alone. She advocates for proactive financial planning and open discussions about money before starting a family: “Couples need to approach having children with the same level of preparation as buying a house or writing a will.”
Without clear financial planning, relationships may be at risk from the outset due to the economic strain of maternity leave and childcare responsibilities.