Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination

Wednesday 7 July 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government recognises the importance of tackling pregnancy and maternity discrimination.
  • Government plans to extend redundancy protection period for six months after a new mother returns to work.
  • Ministers are engaging with organisations like Pregnant Then Screwed and Maternity Action to understand issues better.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Thewliss SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

Discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers in the labour market is a persistent issue, with recent research highlighting high levels of discrimination and calls for urgent legislative action.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Government to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the labour market?

Answer from Paul Scully

The Government recognise the importance of tackling pregnancy and maternity discrimination, which is why we will extend the redundancy protection period for six months once a new mother has returned to work and provide similar protections for those parents taking adoption leave and shared parental leave. We will bring these measures forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or exact mechanism of the redundancy protection extension is not provided, only that it will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

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Q2 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

An Equality and Human Rights Commission report highlighted widespread discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers in the labour market, with specific recommendations for legislative action.

Question

When will the Government actually get their act together and bring in legislation to stop employers from making women redundant during pregnancy and up to six months after they have returned from maternity leave?

Answer from Paul Scully

Legislation can only ever be part of the answer, which is why we are bringing together key business and family representative groups to tackle questions around organisational culture and ensure women and employers know their rights. We will introduce legislative measures when parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact timeline for introducing legislation is not provided, only that it will be done when parliamentary time allows.

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Q3 Alison Thewliss SNP
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

EHRC research in 2016 found disturbingly high levels of pregnancy and maternity discrimination, highlighting the need for preventative actions to protect women from redundancy during pregnancy and up to six months after return from maternity leave.

Question

What representations have Ministers made to Cabinet colleagues to urgently legislate on extending redundancy protection for pregnant women and new mothers?

Answer from Paul Scully

When parliamentary time allows, we will bring legislation forward. We value the hon. Lady's work and have had conversations with organisations like Pregnant Then Screwed and Maternity Action. Plans include roundtables to better understand issues and bring groups together again.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific representations made by Ministers are not detailed, only that legislation will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

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Q4 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Tragically, maternity discrimination extends beyond the labour market to include issues such as higher mortality rates among black women during childbirth compared to white women.

Question

What work is being done across government to reduce the high maternal mortality rates that see black women four times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts?

Answer from Paul Scully

The Minister for Equalities is working on reducing inequalities in health outcomes. Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE leads work understanding high mortality rates, considering evidence and bringing action together to reduce disparities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While highlighting ongoing efforts, the specific actions being taken are not detailed.

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Q5 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Research from the TUC found that one in four pregnant women experienced unfair treatment or discrimination at work during the pandemic, including being singled out for redundancy or furlough.

Question

Will the Minister follow Labour's lead and introduce a German-style ban on making pregnant women redundant from notification of pregnancy to six months after they return to work?

Answer from Paul Scully

We believe extending MAPLE provisions is better. After due consideration, we will bring this forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific type of ban requested is not implemented; instead, an extension to existing regulations is proposed.

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Q6 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Maternity Action highlights that pregnant women and new mothers face significant barriers in pursuing employment tribunal claims, necessitating effective access to justice.

Question

What is the hold-up in taking steps to protect the rights of pregnant women and new mothers from discrimination at work?

Answer from Paul Scully

Legislation can only ever be part of the answer. We have robust laws, but we are working with existing UK approaches rather than bringing an outright ban on redundancy during pregnancy and six months after return to work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The reasons for delay or obstacles in implementing protective measures are not detailed; only that legislation is part of the answer.

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