Equalise maternity allowance with statutory pay & don’t reduce Universal Credit

60
signatures
closedDepartment for Work and PensionsOpened 24 September 2025Closed 24 March 2026

Background

We urge the Government to equalise maternity, paternity and adoption allowances with statutory maternity pay for self-employed workers and ensure that maternity allowance pay does not reduce Universal Credit pay. We believe families shouldn’t be penalised for being self-employed.

Additional details

Many women are self-employed or running their own businesses, yet we feel the maternity pay system has not kept up. Self-employed mothers only receive maternity allowance, which can be far lower and less flexible than statutory maternity pay available to employees. We believe this leaves many families financially vulnerable at a time when they should be supported and the current system is outdated.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 739630.