Being self-employed often means more freedom and flexibility—things many of us treasure. But when it comes to becoming a parent, that flexibility can come at a cost. Right now in the UK, self-employed parents don’t get the same financial support as employees—and that’s just not fair.
That’s why IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) is campaigning for better parental rights and pay for self-employed people like you.
The Problem: A System That Leaves Self-Employed Parents Behind
If you’ve had a child while self-employed, you may already know how difficult it can be to make ends meet during those early days of parenthood. Unlike employees, self-employed parents face significant gaps in support:
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No full maternity pay: Employed mothers can receive 90% of their average weekly earnings for the first six weeks. Self-employed mothers? They only get a flat-rate Maternity Allowance—and they miss out on that initial earnings-based boost.
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No paternity pay: If you’re a self-employed father, there’s currently no financial support at all for taking time off when your baby arrives.
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No adoption pay: And for those adopting, there’s no help either—while employees are eligible for Adoption Pay, the self-employed are not.
These aren’t just technicalities. These are real-life challenges for real people trying to care for their children while also keeping their businesses afloat.
What needs to change
IPSE is calling on the government to close the gap between the support available to employees and that available to the self-employed—especially during the early weeks of parenthood, when both financial and emotional pressures can be at their highest.
Here’s exactly what they’re asking for:
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A fairer deal for maternity pay
Right now, self-employed mothers are entitled to Maternity Allowance at a flat rate of £184.03 per week (as of April 2024) for up to 39 weeks. In contrast, employed mothers receive Statutory Maternity Pay, which starts with 90% of their average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks, followed by the same flat rate for the remaining 33 weeks.What IPSE wants: To give self-employed mothers the same earnings-based support for those first six weeks—90% of their average weekly income, just like employed mothers receive. This would provide a crucial financial cushion during the early postnatal period.
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Introduce paternity pay for the self-employed
At present, self-employed fathers (and partners) get nothing. Employed partners, however, are eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay: either £184.03 per week or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower), for up to two weeks.What IPSE wants: A similar system for the self-employed, recognising that new fathers and co-parents also need time off to bond with their babies and support their families—without sacrificing income.
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Provide adoption pay for self-employed parents
Self-employed individuals adopting a child currently receive no financial support at all. Employed adopters, by contrast, can claim Statutory Adoption Pay, which mirrors maternity pay: 90% of their average earnings for the first six weeks, followed by the flat rate of £184.03 per week for up to 33 more weeks.What IPSE wants: To extend this same adoption pay structure to self-employed parents, ensuring every kind of parent is treated with equal respect and care.
These changes would make a big difference. They’d give self-employed parents the breathing space they need to be present for their families without sacrificing their income or business.
How You Can Help
This isn’t just about policy—it’s about people. And your voice can make a real impact.
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Share your story: If you’ve struggled with the lack of parental support while self-employed, IPSE would love to hear from you. Real stories help policymakers understand the human side of these issues.
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Write to your MP: IPSE has a simple template letter you can use to tell your local MP why these changes matter. It only takes a few minutes—but it can help bring about real change.
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Stay connected: Sign up for updates from IPSE to follow the campaign and find out how else you can support the cause.
Becoming a parent is life-changing. It should be a time of joy and connection—not financial stress. Let’s stand together to make sure self-employed parents are supported and valued, just like everyone else.