Mothers 'ignorant over pay change'
Updated on 02 April 2007
Most women on low incomes do not know that maternity laws have changed to give improved paid leave for working mothers, according to new research.
A survey of 1,500 women found two-thirds did not know that pregnant workers will be able to get paid leave for nine months instead of six.
Younger women were less likely to be aware of the changes, according to the study by the Institute of Payroll Professionals.
Chief executive Maurice Cheng said: "This news is quite worrying as some small employers may not be aware of the changes and therefore not informing their employees."
Statutory maternity pay has increased to 39 weeks, including six weeks at 90% of pay and 33 weeks at a flat rate of £112.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said: "This is a good week for families. Mothers due to give birth are entitled to nine months of paid maternity leave.
"That is another important step in giving families the work-life balance they want. In the last 10 years we've doubled the amount and time of maternity pay and tripled the length of maternity leave.
"We've brought in paid paternity and adoption leave for the first time and introduced the right to request flexible working and we've done this together with business to make it work for them.
"From Friday, over 2.65 million carers and their families will have the right to request flexible working for the first time. It will make a real difference to those who give so much.
"It takes the number of people with this right to more than six million since it was first introduced in 2003 for parents of young and disabled children."
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