In the UK, Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks , and the amount depends on your average weekly earnings and the current government‑set rate.

Current SMP rate (2025/26 tax year)

For babies due before 6 April 2026 , the standard rate for the later 33 weeks is £187.18 per week (or 90% of your average weekly earnings , whichever is lower).

For the first 6 weeks , you get 90% of your average gross weekly earnings with no upper limit.

New rate from April 2026

From 6 April 2026 , the standard weekly cap for SMP (and several other family‑leave payments) will rise to £194.32 per week.

The structure stays the same:

  • First 6 weeks : 90% of your average gross weekly earnings (no cap).
  • Next 33 weeks : the lower of £194.32 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings.

Quick‑reference table (SMP structure)

Period How SMP is calculated Rate example (2025/26) Rate from 6 Apr 2026
First 6 weeks 90% of average gross weekly earnings (no upper limit) 90% of your weekly pay Same structure
Next 33 weeks Lower of £187.18 or 90% of average weekly earnings £187.18 (if that’s lower than 90% of your pay) £194.32 cap (from 6 Apr 2026)

Who qualifies?

To get SMP you generally need:

  • To have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due.
  • To earn at least the lower earnings limit (around £125–£129 per week on average, depending on the tax year).

If you don’t qualify for SMP you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead, which uses a similar weekly rate cap.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.