evidence: During paid maternity leave in Europe, most countries provide allowances that replace over 50% of an employee's previous salary; some of them are offering full or close to full payments, while some European countries cover flat-rate payments, Ireland, for example. [...] In the UK, mothers are entitled to maternity pay and leave under the law. The overall length of statutory maternity leave in the UK is 52 weeks – the first 26 weeks of standard maternity leave, followed by another 26 weeks of leave. An employee is not required to work 52 weeks but is required to take 2 minimum weeks of leave (or 4 weeks if working in a factory) after the birth of her child. For up to 39 weeks, statutory maternity pay (SMP) is paid:- For the first six weeks, an employee is entitled to 90% of her average weekly wages (before taxes); - For the upcoming 33 weeks, £172.48 or 90% of her average weekly income, whichever is lower.