§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of extending maternity pay from 18 weeks to(a) 26 weeks, (b) 39 weeks and (c) 52 weeks. [104866]
§ Mr. BayleyThe information is in the table.
The additional full year cost in 2000–01 of extending statutory maternity pay at the flat rate £million Option Cost Increase Extending statutory maternity pay to 26 weeks 140 Extending statutory maternity pay to 39 weeks 370 Extending statutory maternity pay to 52 weeks 590 Note:
These estimates 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, assume 100 per cent. take-up and the payment of £ 59.55 a week.