Mothers Struggle Financially Due to Inadequate Maternity Pay
Financial Hardships Faced by Mothers
Mothers are facing dire financial challenges as they return to work early, resorting to extreme measures like skipping meals or cutting back on heating due to insufficient maternity pay, according to a survey conducted for Unison by Maternity Action.
Current Maternity Pay Situation
The survey revealed that women are compelled to make “drastic” decisions because they cannot sustain themselves on the existing statutory amount. Currently, women are entitled to six weeks of statutory maternity pay at 90% of their full pay post-childbirth. Subsequently, this amount decreases to £172.48 per week for 33 weeks or 90% of their average weekly earnings – whichever is lower.
Call for Doubling Maternity Pay
Advocates are urging the government to increase maternity pay to £364.70, equivalent to the national minimum wage of £10.42 per hour. A recent survey of 1,400 mothers indicated that over half (58%) returned to work before they were prepared due to financial constraints, with some reducing their leave to as little as six months.
Struggling to Make Ends Meet
A quarter (25%) of women on maternity leave admitted to forgoing meals to provide for their families, while almost half (49%) resorted to buying less-healthy food to save money. Furthermore, more than seven in ten (71%) women expressed significant concerns about money during pregnancy or maternity leave.
Impact on Wellbeing
The financial strain has led to detrimental effects on mothers, with many reporting increased stress levels and mental health issues. Stress during pregnancy can elevate the risk of post-natal depression and other conditions, indicating the importance of adequate support for pregnant women and new mothers.
Government Response and Criticisms
While the Government asserts its commitment to supporting new mothers through increased benefits, critics argue that more substantial steps need to be taken to alleviate the financial burden faced by families. The failure of maternity pay to align with rising living costs is driving many women into severe financial hardship, emphasizing the need for tangible solutions to bridge this gap.
FAQs
What are some drastic measures mothers are taking due to inadequate maternity pay?
Mothers are skipping meals, cutting back on heating, and making other financial sacrifices to cope with the insufficient maternity pay.
Why are advocates calling for a doubling of maternity pay?
Advocates are urging the government to increase maternity pay to £364.70 to align with the national minimum wage and ease the financial burden on mothers.
How has the financial strain impacted the wellbeing of mothers?
The financial strain has led to increased stress levels, mental health issues, and concerns about providing essentials for both mothers and their children.
What steps are critics calling for to address the inadequacy of maternity pay?
Critics are demanding more substantial measures from the government to ensure that maternity pay keeps pace with rising living costs and prevents mothers from facing severe financial hardship.
How is stress during pregnancy linked to post-natal depression?
Stress during pregnancy can heighten the risk of post-natal depression and other mental health conditions, underscoring the significance of adequate support for pregnant women and new mothers.
