Government urged to double maternity pay to reach minimum wage.

Mothers are facing difficult choices between feeding themselves and heating their homes due to stingy maternity pay, a study by Unison and Maternity Action has found. It discovered that seven in ten mothers have turned down their thermostat to save money, while over half turned off the heating entirely. More than a third of mothers surveyed admitted to skipping meals or eating smaller portions. The organisations have called for the government to double maternity pay to ensure it is equal to the national minimum wage. The government has been urged to more than double maternity pay so it is equal to minimum wage as mothers are being forced to choose between eating and heating their homes.

February 16, 2024
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