§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the costs of maternity leave to the United Kingdom in each year since 1994; and what proportion of these costs relate to employees in firms with workforces(a) up to 10, (b) up to 20, (c) up to 50, (d) up to 250 and (e) over 250. [69596]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe information requested is not available. However, the costs of providing maternity leave will differ according to the arrangements in individual companies, many of which provide more than statutory entitlements.
We estimate that there are about 370,000 pregnant employees in any one year. The costs of meeting the statutory requirement to pay out Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance to women who qualify for them are set out in the table. Employers are reimbursed 92 per cent. of the cost of Statutory Maternity Pay, with small employers reimbursed in full. The Department of Social Security pays out Maternity Allowance.
£ million Tax year Statutory Maternity Pay expenditure Total Maternity Allowance expenditure Maternity Allowance expenditure for employees 1994–95 480 27 10 1995–96 524 29 12 1996–97 341 33 14 Notes:
1. Expenditure on Statutory Maternity Pay for any year may take into account adjustments made by the Government Actuary in respect of recoveries made by employers for earlier years.
2. Figures are for Great Britain.
3. Expenditure on Maternity Allowance for employees is estimated from a 1 per cent. sample of awards to Maternity Allowance.
4. The latest year for which information is available for both Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance is 1996–97.
Source:
National Insurance Fund Accounts
210W