5. Support for parents-to-be and parents


Benefits available to help parents and guardians raise their children include:


• Statutory Maternity Leave and Pay (see pages 54-56) 


• Maternity Allowance (see pages 56-57);


• Sure Start Maternity Grant (see pages 57);


• Shared Parental Leave and Pay (see pages 58-59); 


• Statutory Paternity Leave and Pay (see page 60);


• Statutory Adoption Leave and Pay and Surrogacy Leave (see page 61); 


• Child Benefit (see page 62); and 


• Guardian’s Allowance (see page 62).


There is also a system of Child Tax Credits which can provide further support (see pages 62-64).