The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to a campaign rockets past the 10,000 signatures milestone, demanding a substantial wage increase for new parents while on maternity or paternity leave.

The petition lodged on the parliament website insists that statutory pay, which currently stands at £4.99 per hour, be elevated to match the national living wage of £12.21 per hour— which went up on April 5 this year by 77p.

Grace Carter, the instigator of the petition, attacked the current rate, detailing: "Statutory maternity and paternity pay is £4.99 per hour for a full-time worker on 37.5 hours per week - approximately 59% less than the 2024 National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21+, which has been set out to ensure a basic standard of living.

"If the National Living Wage is £12.21 per hour to legally enforce and ensure a basic standard of living, why is statutory maternity or paternity pay just £4.99 per hour? We feel that working parents, especially women, who contribute to the tax system are being pushed into poverty at their most vulnerable time. We believe this undermines family stability and suggests the Government does not prioritise childbirth or its economic value."

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to the outcry, stressing that parental pay entitlements are designed to offer a degree of financial stability for parents caring for their children. The DWP clarified: "However, they are not intended to replace earnings."

The department outlined that parental leave and pay entitlements cover Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental and Neonatal Care Pay, as well as Adoption Leave and Pay, 'all of which are designed to support parents to take leave whilst retaining an attachment to the labour market so they can return to work when appropriate'.

The DWP said: "The Government has set an aim to deliver a genuine living wage for every adult worker; the increase to the National Living Wage (NLW) to £12.21 is intended to make progress towards that. As this petition highlights, this payment is higher than the equivalent hourly rate of Maternity/Paternity Pay. However, Maternity and other types of Parental Pay are intended to provide a measure of financial security to support parents whilst they are away from the workplace; they are not a replacement of earnings and therefore are not directly comparable."

The Government has reacted to concerns raised by a petition, stressing the financial plight of working parents, particularly women and their children, during their most vulnerable period.

Officials said: "When considering calls to increase the level of parental benefits, the Government must balance a range of factors including the needs of parents, the impact on employers, and affordability for taxpayers. This is particularly true in today’s challenging economic climate. As such, any changes would need to be carefully considered, taking into account views from businesses and other stakeholders."

The official response said: "This petition has raised concerns that working parents, especially women (and by association, their child/children) are being pushed into poverty at their most vulnerable time. The Government recognises the financial pressures facing many pregnant women and new mothers and has measures in place to support them and their families.

"Maternity Pay is just one element of the support available. Indeed, depending on an individual's circumstances, additional financial support, for example, Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and the Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500), may also be available. More information about benefits and financial support available to pregnant women and their families can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page."

Moreover, the DWP has confirmed it is currently reviewing parental leave policies to better assist working families, stating: "Planning is underway and further details of the review will be announced in due course."

For individuals eager to view the full Government reply and possibly endorse the petition, they can click here. Should the signature count reach 100,000, the matter will be brought before parliament for debate.