Is Maternity leave being extended next year?

katglasgow

Does anyone have any knowledge on how likely this is to happen? I think is was runmoured that it would go up to 9 months paid from April 2007. We are just about to start trying but to be honest if the leave period is changing from then I would hold off for another couple of months to take advantage of this, it would make it so much more afordable to then manage to take off the whole year with the baby.
If anyone has any great insight your guidance would be appreciated thanks!

fannyadams

http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/matleafr.htm

http://www2.dti.gov.uk/er/maternity.htm

katglasgow

Thanks fannyadamas these are the ones I found but cant see any mention of what might be changing next year? Maybe it doesnt get annouced in advance, and it jsut will or wont happen. I am longing for another wee monster, if theres nothing in it finaically then there will be no holding me back!

shirlyn

I thought that was definate as I'm waiting for the same thing.

Spendless

When maternity pay changed from 18 weeks to 26 weeks in 2003, it was for babies due on or after 6th April not when they were born.


I lost out as my daughter was due 31 March. Worth looking into if you are thinking of trying.

WeirdoMagnet

An article in the guardian says it's going to be increased from April 07...

Under the bill statutory maternity pay will be increased to nine months from April 2007 with the ambition of moving it to a year by the end of the current parliament.

Sharra

I'm waiting for the same thing... do you think there will be a rise in the birth rate after next April - all the MSE ers waiting till then?
It would be good if its when they are due, not when they are born, it would be a nightmare to plan it all and wait and then have them born early!

PS has this actually gone thru parliament ie is it definite?

katglasgow

I am so glad to hear that there are others thinking the same thing, I feel a little guilty tryuing to calculate it all but its just it would mean the difference between being able to take a full year off or not.
I have started my folic acid now, but it looks like it is worth using some condoms until the end of June!

Julie84

katglasgow wrote:

I am so glad to hear that there are others thinking the same thing, I feel a little guilty tryuing to calculate it all but its just it would mean the difference between being able to take a full year off or not.
I have started my folic acid now, but it looks like it is worth using some condoms until the end of June!

It does sound awful doesn't it - but it makes so much sense.

Sharra

I'm just so glad I got my big boxes of condoms on BOGOF in tescos

callansdad

We are planning the exact same thing. We are marrying in June so will start trying again not long after.

PS i don't pay for my condoms, i get them all free from my local Health Promotions shop. Maybe worth seeing if there is a family planning clinic in your area, they give them out free too.