Outrage after Kemi Badenoch says that statutory maternity pay is ‘excessive’
The UK has some of the smallest maternity pay rates among countries in the OECD.
Kemi Badenoch, a contender for the Tory leadership, has sparked anger by expressing her belief that statutory maternity pay is "too much." Her remarks have faced backlash from other leadership candidates and members of the opposition.
Badenoch shared her thoughts on Times Radio, expressing her belief that parents should take greater personal responsibility instead of placing additional regulatory demands on businesses.
When asked whether she believed maternity pay was adequate, Badenoch responded: “Maternity pay depends on your employer, but the standard maternity pay is linked to taxation, which is derived from those who are employed.”
"We're transferring resources from one group to another, and I believe this is going too far."
Companies are shutting down and new ones aren't being launched in the UK, as many believe that the weight of regulations is too heavy.
Presenter Kate McCann then inquired whether she thought maternity pay was too high. In response, she said, “I believe it has gone overboard—it's swung too far in the opposite direction concerning overall business regulation.”
She mentioned that, in her opinion, the specific sum of maternity pay isn't really important.
New mothers have the legal right to receive 90% of their typical salary for the first six weeks after childbirth. After that period, they can earn up to £184.03 per week for the following 33 weeks.
The UK offers some of the lowest maternity pay rates compared to other countries in the OECD.
Rebecca Reid expressed her thoughts on X, stating: "I shouldn't have to explain this, but our country has a fundamentally average system for maternity support and we're facing an increasing birth crisis. So, Kemi Badenoch's idea of offering women lower pay for one of the most challenging jobs out there seems to be a notion that could only attract those who have a disdain for women."
Labour MP Andrew Lewin tweeted: “After the initial 6 weeks of motherhood, the legal maternity leave pay is only £184 per week. @KemiBadenoch thinks that amount is ‘too much.’ This shows just how disconnected the Conservative Party is from families all over the UK.”
Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick disagreed with Badenoch, stating, "Our maternity pay ranks among the lowest in the OECD. I believe the Conservative Party should strongly support parents and working mothers who are striving to advance in their careers."
Basit Mahmood serves as the editor for Left Foot Forward.
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