§ 18. Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make a statement on benefit allowances for expectant mothers.
§ Mr. ScottA pregnant woman who has worked during her pregnancy will generally get 18 weeks statutory maternity pay (SMP) from her employer. The rate payable depends on her length of service and earnings, but if she has worked for the same employer for at least two years she will get 90 per cent. of her earnings for the first six weeks of payment. A pregnant woman with a recent employment record who does not qualify for SMP will get 18 weeks maternity allowance (MA) from the Department of Social Security. Pregnant women on low incomes also qualify for income support under the normal rules for that payment. Where they are in receipt of income support or family credit they can, in addition, claim an £85 social fund maternity payment.
§ 34. Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings will be made in 1989–90 by not uprating the social fund payment to pregnant women on income support in line with other benefits.
§ Mr. Peter LloydSince there is no statutory duty to uprate social fund maternity payments, no saving arises in 1989–90. However, to have increased such payments in line with other benefits would have cost about £650,000.