Assuming OP to be a Tier 1 (General) migrant:
1. SMP is part of your salary - as there is a legal obligation for the employer to pay you SMP (if you qualify for it) under the terms and conditions of employment.
2. That said, if you wish to take advantage of the "maternity / adoption related absence from workplace" allowance to qualify for settlement under the Tier 1 policy then you cannot include SMP in your earnings - because the period of absence due to maternity / adoption is not being taken to consideration (to compute the 12 out of 15 months).
3. If you do not want to take advantage of the "maternity / adoption related absence from workplace" allowance to qualify for settlement under the Tier 1 policy then you can include SMP in your earnings, if any duration of such absence falls within the relevant 12 month period (within the 15 months preceding the settlement application).
Happyatlast wrote:As I understand from guidance is total of 12 months in any combination before and after maternity leave... For eg 6 consecutive months before maternity leave and 6 months from date of joining work
Yes.