SPM20220 - Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) - Who is covered by the SMP Scheme

Agency, short-contract and part-time workers, married women and widows paying reduced rate contributions

Any employee can satisfy the conditions for entitlement to SMP.

Agency workers, who are deemed to be employees under regulations, and short contract employees may be entitled to SMP when they are not available for work due to their pregnancy and the birth of their baby. See SPM20655 and SPM20660.