New mums ‘should be able to take time away from work’

New parents have been encouraged to make use of the support that’s available when they have a baby.

Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay is being increased to £187.18 per week from 6 April.

But government minister Andrew Western has stressed that this is “only one element of the support available for parents”.

For example, he said that depending on their individual circumstances, they could get universal credit and child benefit.

Mr Western also highlighted the sure start maternity grant - a lump sum payment of £500 that helps towards the costs of having a child.

“We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth,” he commented.

This, he said, is good for both their own and their baby’s health and wellbeing.

Mums dipping into savings or borrowing money to make ends meet

Mr Western’s comments come after research by campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed found that low statutory maternity pay has forced many mums to make tough choices.

More than three-quarters have had to withdraw money from their savings or rely on some form of debt to make ends meet after having a baby.

And over four in ten have had to take just 12 weeks or less off work following the birth of their most recent child.

Joeli Brearley, chief executive of Pregnant Then Screwed, said: “It is a false economy to not pay parental leave at a rate on which families can survive and thrive.

“Right now, we are falling way behind our European counterparts, and it is not only this generation which is suffering the consequences, but it will be the next.’’