Kemi Badenoch maternity pay comments spark row

Kemi Badenoch, a candidate for the Tory leadership, has indicated that maternity pay has become "too much" and is "over the top."

In a conversation with Times Radio, Badenoch was questioned about her views on whether maternity pay is set at the appropriate amount.

She explained, "Maternity pay can differ based on your employer, but statutory maternity pay is linked to taxes, which are collected from working individuals."

"We're redistributing resources from one group to another, and I believe this is too much."

"Companies are shutting down and new ones aren't being established in the UK, as many claim that the weight of regulations is overly burdensome."

When questioned about whether her remarks suggested that “maternity pay is too high,” Badenoch responded, “I believe it has gone too far – excessively in the opposite direction concerning overall business regulation.”

Badenoch was informed that the existing rate of maternity pay was essential for individuals who cannot financially support having a child without assistance.

She responded, "We must take greater personal responsibility. There was a period when maternity pay didn't exist, yet people were still having larger families."

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is available for a period of up to 39 weeks. During the initial six weeks, new mothers receive 90% of their average weekly income (before tax). For the following 33 weeks, they will either get £184.03 or 90% of their average weekly earnings, depending on which amount is less. SMP is processed and paid out like regular wages, with deductions for tax and National Insurance.

Badenoch later explained her comments, stating that she does indeed support maternity pay.

In a message on X, she stated: “Despite what some people have claimed, I explicitly mentioned that the regulations imposed on businesses have become excessive... and I definitely support maternity pay!”

Joeli Brearley, the founder of the advocacy organization Pregnant Then Screwed, stated on LBC Radio that Badenoch's remarks were "hazardous."