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Maternity pay remains the same regardless of whether parents have one or multiple babies. This must change.
The financial demands of caring for multiple babies far exceed those of a single child - by at least £20,000 in the first year alone - so that's why we're calling for increased maternity pay for parents of multiples; maternity pay should be paid per baby not per pregnancy. It's about fairness and ensuring that every family receives the support they need during this crucial period.
Take action
We're campaigning for fairer maternity pay for multiples. Play your part by emailing your MP to help this vital issue get raised in Parliament.
How high are the costs of having multiples?
Our State of the Nation research shows the significant financial pressures of having multiples. There's the upfront cost of over £2,000 in having to buy double or triple of everything (nappies, bouncy chairs, car seats, bottles and more) and all in one go, whereas people having singletons get to buy one lot of baby products which can then be handed down.
Families with multiples also face a significant decrease in income - estimated to be £12,500 in the first year alone - and many families also have to purchase a new vehicle (and even a new house, for some) to accommodate the new arrivals.
And that's before the cost of childcare is even considered!
Why maternity pay per baby?
The current Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) system doesn't adequately cater to our families' unique circumstances. Despite the increased financial and caregiving challenges, maternity entitlements remain the same as for those with a single child.
Families with multiples often experience more complicated pregnancies and therefore need to start maternity leave prematurely. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is currently unavailable in the four weeks leading up to the due date, so mothers have to switch to SMP and Statutory Maternity Leave (SML) even if they fall ill during this critical period. This can lead to less time spent with the newborns post-delivery.
The financial strain is notably greater for families with multiples, yet SMP follows a standard structure: 90% of the mother's average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, followed by up to 33 weeks at £172.48 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. These benefits are allocated per pregnancy, not per child.
Pause for thought
Why is it that a mother with two separate pregnancies within the same year is entitled to maternity benefits for each, as opposed to the single allocation for multiples?
We believe that a fair and equitable system should recognise the additional expenses and heightened challenges our families face. By adjusting the maternity benefits to reflect these demands, we can offer better support and ensure parity for families experiencing the joy and challenges of raising multiples.
What would change mean for families?
- Improved financial stability and reduced financial strain.
- Enhanced parental wellbeing: The additional pay and leave entitlement would allow parents more time to bond with, and care for, their newborns without the added stress of returning to work prematurely. This is particularly important if the baby or babies have been in neonatal care, had medical problems or the mother or her partner has been suffering with trauma from the birth, the stress of having multiples or postnatal depression.
- Women getting back to work: The financial burden means that women find it very hard to step back into the workplace after having multiples. When combined with the need for more affordable childcare, this change will help women back into the workplace and therefore help companies to retain their talented female workers.
Be a change-maker
Email your MP
We're campaigning for fairer maternity pay for multiples. Play your part by emailing your MP to help this vital issue get raised in Parliament.
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