Two ways to get paid for a child in the UK: weekly Child Benefit (minus the HICBC clawback) or 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay. Choose a mode and see the numbers.
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Child Benefit is £27.05/wk for the first child + £17.90/wk each additional, clawed back via HICBC between £60,000 and £80,000. Maternity pay (SMP) runs for 39 weeks.
=You receive/ year
£1,406.60
Weekly Child Benefit£27.05
Annual amount£1,406.60
Net benefit / year£1,406.60
You keepafter the HICBC charge
£27
The High Income Child Benefit Charge claws back 1% of your benefit for every £200 of adjusted net income above £60,000, reaching 100% at £80,000.
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Last updated: 12 July 2026. The UK has no single "parental leave pay" — two things overlap. Child Benefit is £27.05/wk for the first child + £17.90/wk for each additional child, clawed back by the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) between £60,000 and £80,000. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) runs 39 weeks: 90% of AWE for 6 weeks, then the lower of £194.32 or 90% AWE for 33 weeks. Source: gov.uk — Child Benefit · gov.uk — SMP.
⚖︎ Results are for informational purposes and do not constitute tax advice. For specific situations, consult a licensed accountant or the relevant tax authority.
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iHow it is calculated
Pick a mode. Child Benefit pays £27.05/wk for your eldest or only child and £17.90/wk for each additional child; if the higher earner's adjusted net income is over £60,000, the HICBC claws back 1% of the benefit per £200 above £60,000, reaching 100% at £80,000. Maternity pay (SMP) is 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) for the first 6 weeks, then the lower of £194.32 or 90% AWE for the next 33 weeks — 39 weeks in total. The same flat rate covers Maternity Allowance, Paternity Pay and Shared Parental Pay.
Child Benefit, 2 children: £27.05 + £17.90 = £44.95/wk = £2,337.40/yr. If the higher earner nets £70,000, the HICBC claws back 50% (£10,000 over ÷ £200), a £1,168.70 charge — you keep £1,168.70. SMP, AWE £600: first 6 weeks at 90% = £540 × 6 = £3,240; weeks 7–39 at £194.32 × 33 = £6,412.56; total £9,652.56 over 39 weeks.
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?Frequently asked questions
How much is Child Benefit in 2026?
£27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, plus £17.90 per week for each additional child. For two children that is £44.95/wk, or about £2,337.40 a year.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)?
If the higher earner's adjusted net income is over £60,000, HICBC claws back 1% of your Child Benefit for every £200 above that, reaching 100% at £80,000. Between £60k and £80k you keep a tapered amount.
How does Statutory Maternity Pay work?
SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) for the first 6 weeks, then the lower of £194.32 or 90% of AWE for the remaining 33 weeks.
What counts as average weekly earnings (AWE)?
AWE is your average gross weekly pay over the 8-week reference period ending with the qualifying week (roughly 15 weeks before the due date). It determines the 90% rate in the first 6 weeks.
Is SMP the same as Maternity Allowance or Paternity Pay?
The flat rate is the same £194.32/wk. Maternity Allowance is for those who do not qualify for SMP, while Paternity Pay and Shared Parental Pay also use the £194.32 (or 90% AWE if lower) weekly rate.
Can I get both Child Benefit and Maternity Pay?
Yes — they are separate. Maternity pay replaces earnings during leave, while Child Benefit is an ongoing payment for raising the child. Only Child Benefit is affected by the HICBC.
Should I still claim Child Benefit if I earn over £80,000?
Often yes. Even if the charge cancels the payment, claiming protects your State Pension National Insurance credits. You can claim but opt out of the payments to avoid the charge.
Is Child Benefit taxable?
The payment itself is not taxed, but the HICBC recovers it through the tax system for higher earners. SMP, by contrast, is taxable and subject to National Insurance like normal pay.
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