absolute waste of time. being single an expecting a baby they expect u to live on £139 a week, with rent and council tax…

@babylee2016x, I work for a health care agency so it's just the way it works unfortunately. you are lucky if you get full pay as I thought it was a percentage for first 6 weeks then a set amount after that anyway. Yeah @sarah29493 it's ridiculous then they wonder why everyone complains. your no better of actually working as you get no thanks xx

I just completely sucks @laa286 and depends on ur employer I didn't qualify for smp just ma an that's the lowest they pay just a pain no help from anyone xx

Hope you don't mind me asking this, I'm just a little confused, this is my first baby. I was just wondering how your maternity pay is so low? Does it depend on the company you work for? I've been told I'll get full pay for the first 7 months of my maternity leave x

I'm in the same situation. I have worked since being 13 and never had any gaps in employment yet because I was off sick most of this pregnancy my employer works off the average wage from so many weeks to calculate my maternity pay which is a shocking £106. My partner earns food money during summer months as he's a gardener but over winter we r knackered. I am having to go back to work one day a week to supplement my mat pay to survive with 4 kids! we don't get any help as we both earn "too much " although in reality we pay for everything so are left with little! xx

I have had enough stress with it all done the best I can do till baba arrives will have to try again then xxx

looool Exactly!! No pressies from me this year. I even spoke to Citizen Advice and they said we are not entitled to anything because my partner works full time and I get SMP smh. Maybe give them a call because if your single you should be entitled to extra help surely.

I no its so fustrating expecially when u see people never worked a day in there life. have 3 or 4 kids an they have a better home than u more money than u an pay nothing. yano as a single person on that income how on earth am I mean to pay for things like Xmas an that. everyone will be getting a iou or poundshop gift haha xxx

I understand your frustration. I only recently found out that Tax, NI and Pension is deducted from my Maternity pay. The government is twisted. They want to keep everyone in poverty. I honestly dont know how we will survive these next few months. How do they expect people to live on £139 per week. This is why people do not work. You are better off .