The article discusses the critical need for improved maternity pay in light of personal stories like that of Grace Carter, who struggles with debt after childbirth. Despite her happiness at having a daughter, she reveals the severe financial strain that maternity leave has imposed on her and her family. Carter's experience highlights the inadequacies of the current maternity pay system, which is significantly below the National Living Wage, prompting her to advocate for necessary reforms in maternity compensation to better support mothers financially.
The idea of losing my business felt like losing a baby. I really, really struggled.
I was left feeling suicidal as a result of the financial strain of having a baby and am still in a huge amount of debt.
Ms Carter has since joined calls for maternity pay to match the National Living Wage.
Statutory Maternity Pay works out to about 4.99 per hour after six weeks, significantly below the National Living Wage.
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