Raw deal for mothers

Maternity pay in the UK is the third lowest in the European Union, according to a study published today.

Only Greece and Luxembourg have lower rates, while the most generous allowances are given in Denmark and Italy, a study by Mercer Human Resource Consulting has revealed.

Based on statutory pay built up over six months of maternity leave, a woman living in the UK earning £15,000 a year would receive £2,458.

The equivalent entitlement in Greece is £1,250, while the Denmark allowance is £6,756.

But Britain fared better in terms of time off work for maternity leave, offering 40 weeks (22 of them unpaid).

Only Sweden, Denmark-Italy and Finland were more generous, offering 96, 50, 47 and 44 weeks respectively.

In contrast, German women were only entitled to 14 weeks' leave.

Gary Bowker, employment law consultant at Mercer, said: "With the Government's emphasis on family-friendly policies, it's surprising that UK statutory benefits are so much lower than in the rest of the EU."