Understand your rights to maternity pay, paternity leave, shared parental leave, parental leave and protection from discrimination during pregnancy. Free instant guidance checked against official sources.
↓ Try the Checker NowStatutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for 39 weeks: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 per week (2026/27 rate) for weeks 7–39. You need 26 weeks' continuous service by the qualifying week and average earnings of at least £129 per week to qualify.
You are entitled to 52 weeks' maternity leave (26 ordinary + 26 additional) regardless of how long you have worked for your employer. You cannot be dismissed or selected for redundancy because of your pregnancy — this is automatic unfair dismissal with no qualifying period.
Key rights covered: SMP eligibility, keeping in touch days, return to work rights, redundancy during maternity, shared parental leave, paternity leave and adoption leave. Checked against official sources.
You need to notify your employer of your pregnancy, expected week of childbirth, and intended leave start date by the end of the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth — missing this deadline can affect your SMP entitlement, so it's worth diarising this date early in your pregnancy.
If you're made redundant while on maternity leave, you have priority rights to any suitable alternative role ahead of other at-risk colleagues — failing to offer you this priority can make the redundancy automatically unfair, regardless of how genuine the underlying business reason was.
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Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. For employment issues, contact ACAS in England, Wales and Scotland (0300 123 1100) or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland (03300 555 300). For free general advice, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604). For urgent housing problems in England, Shelter can help on 0808 800 4444.
Further reading: our blog explains what a MATB1 form is and when you need one.
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How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026?
SMP is paid for 39 weeks. The first six weeks are at 90% of your average weekly earnings. Weeks 7 to 39 are paid at £194.32 per week (2026/27) or 90% of average earnings if lower.
Can I be dismissed while pregnant?
It is automatically unfair dismissal and potential sex discrimination to dismiss you because of pregnancy or a pregnancy-related illness. This protection applies from the moment you tell your employer you are pregnant.
What rights do I have when returning from maternity leave?
After maternity leave of 26 weeks or fewer you have the right to return to exactly the same job. After longer leave you are entitled to the same or a suitable alternative role on no less favourable terms.
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✉️ Generate My Letter Free →The checker answers only from the guide for the nation you choose, plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 24 September 2026.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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