§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of women's average earnings flat rate Statutory Maternity Pay represents; and what was the highest percentage it has ever represented. [131112]
§ Mr. BayleyThe flat rate of Statutory Maternity Pay was 27 per cent. of average women's earnings in 1999–2000, the latest year for which there are figures. This percentage was at its highest in 1987–88 when it reached 28 per cent.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total annual cost is of Statutory Maternity Pay flat rate; and what it would be if it was increased to £100. [131113]
§ Mr. BayleyStatutory Maternity Pay is paid at 90 per cent. of a woman's average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of her maternity leave and a flat rate of £60.20 for the following 12 weeks.
The cost of the SMP flat rate is £210 million.
The total full year cost of paying flat rate at £100 a week would be £350 million.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total extra cost of flat rate Statutory Maternity Pay would be if it were extended from 12 weeks to up to the child's first birthday. [131114]
§ Mr. BayleyThe extra full year cost in 2000–01 of extending the flat rate of Statutory Maternity Pay from 12 weeks up to the child's first birthday would be up to £495 million.