Yes. You’re entitled to hand in your notice whilst on maternity leave and you will still be eligible for smp for the full 39 weeks. However you still need to give the amount of notice required in your contract.
If it’s SMP you’re fine, if you get some sort of enhanced maternity pay from your employer you would normally have to pay that back if you don’t return for at least a minimum period after maternity.
Thank you everyone, I had to give a minimum of 28 days notice if not returning and I am still entitled to my mat pay up until my leave ends.
You need to give them the correct notice e.g. 4 weeks x