Maternity pay is ‘excessive’, says Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch has described maternity pay as "too high" and encouraged individuals to take on "greater personal responsibility."

The shadow communities secretary mentioned that one of the key ideas she was advocating for during her campaign for Tory leadership was the belief that the government should take a step back. She emphasized that the solution isn’t for the government to assist individuals in having children.

She has since explained her comments, stating that she does indeed support maternity pay.

Badenoch stated on X: "As opposed to what some people have claimed, I clearly expressed that the regulations imposed on businesses have become excessive... and naturally, I support maternity pay!"

In a previous interview with Times Radio, she was inquired about her opinion on whether maternity pay was set at an appropriate level.

Badenoch stated, "The amount of maternity pay differs based on your employer. However, statutory maternity pay is tied to taxes, which are collected from working individuals. We are essentially taking funds from one set of people and redistributing them to another group. I believe this approach 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 excessive."

When asked once more if she believed maternity pay was too high, Badenoch responded, “I think we’ve swung too far in the opposite direction regarding overall business regulations. We should give businesses, particularly small ones, more freedom to make those choices.”

In my opinion, the precise figure for maternity pay isn't the main issue. What really matters is that we foster a workplace environment that allows individuals the flexibility to make their own choices while they work.

The candidate for the Tory leadership was informed that the existing maternity pay amount is essential for individuals who wouldn't be able to afford having a baby without that support.

Badenoch responded by saying, “We should take on more personal responsibility. There was a period when maternity pay didn't exist, yet people were having more children.”

An insider from a competing faction commented, “Badenoch’s outrageous statements are among the few things that could cause our party’s approval ratings to plummet even more.”

Robert Jenrick, a contender for the leadership of the Conservative party, separated himself from Badenoch's earlier comments by stating that the party ought to strongly support parents and working mothers.

During a side event at the Conservative conference, Jenrick expressed his disagreement with Kemi, stating, “As a father of three young daughters, I believe it's important for them to receive the support they need as they start their careers.”

"Our maternity benefits are some of the lowest across the OECD countries. I believe the Conservative party should strongly support parents and working mothers who are striving to advance in their careers."

During a Conservative fringe event, fellow candidate Tom Tugendhat referred to Badenoch as a "strong advocate." He emphasized the significance of women having the freedom to make their own choices, stating, "It's not my place to dictate whether you should work or stay at home, what career path to take, or how many children to have."

"As a politician, my role is to ensure that you have the resources and backing you need to make your own choices."

Statutory maternity pay is accessible to working women who have a weekly earnings average of at least £123.

It offers 90% of an individual's salary for the first six weeks, followed by either 90% of their salary or £184.03 per week, whichever is less, for the next 33 weeks. These payments are subject to income tax and national insurance contributions.

Joeli Brearley, the founder of the advocacy group Pregnant Then Screwed, dismissed the idea that companies are shutting down due to statutory maternity pay as "complete nonsense." She pointed out that businesses can recover these expenses from HMRC.