Do you get paid for maternity leave in the Unnited Kingdom?

New mothers in the United Kingdom receive 39 weeks of maternity pay, according to Gov.uk. Pay for the first six weeks constitutes 90 percent of pre-tax weekly earnings, while the remaining 33 weeks pays at either 90 percent of average weekly earnings or ?138.18, whichever is lower, as of 2014.

Gov.uk points out that maternity pay begins when the new mother begins her maternity leave although it can also begin when a mother leaves work due to a pregnancy-related illness. Tax and national insurance costs are deducted from the maternity pay. Women may begin maternity leave 11 weeks before their due date, and are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave.