§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of extending maternity pay, paid at 90 per cent. of earnings to(a) 18 weeks, (b) 26 weeks, (c) 39 weeks and (d) 52 weeks. [107403]
§ Mr. BayleyThe information is in the table.
The additional full year cost in 2000–01 of extending statutory maternity pay (SMP) beyond six weeks at 90 per cent. of earnings £ million Option Cost increase Extension of this rate to 18 weeks 560 Extension of this rate to 26 weeks 1,080 Extension of this rate to 39 weeks 1,920 Extension of this rate to 52 weeks 2,750 Note:
These costs are the overall costs based on the Government Actuary's Department projection of the average number of people on SMP during 2000–01 at any one time of 100,000, and assume 100 per cent. take-up.