§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of mothers with children born in 1999–2000 were entitled to(a) statutory maternity pay and (b) maternity allowance. [150997]
§ Mr. BayleyI have been asked to reply.
Both statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance are payments made to pregnant working women to help them take time off work around the time of the birth.
It is estimated that 42 per cent. of mothers with children born in 1999–2000 received statutory maternity pay and that 6 per cent. received maternity allowance.