Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending statutory maternity pay to self-employed people.

There are no plans to extend Statutory Maternity Pay to self-employed people. Statutory Maternity Pay forms part of a package of employment rights and protections available specifically to the employed. These rights do not extend to the self-employed because of the difference in the nature of the employment.

Women who are self-employed and expecting, can apply for Maternity Allowance to support them to take a break from their business prior to, and after, giving birth.