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Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill - Sitting 1

02 November 2022

Proposing MP
Philip Hollobone Con
Kettering
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement addresses the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill aimed at extending redundancy protections for pregnant women and new parents during pregnancy and after returning to work. The statement discusses the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill, addressing issues of pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace. The statement discusses the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill, focusing on extending protections for pregnant employees and those on family leave.

Action Requested

Dan Jarvis proposes that clauses 1 and 2 of the bill stand part, which would allow regulations on redundancy during pregnancy and after maternity adoption or shared parental leave. He also calls for consideration of removing the six-week qualifying period threshold to protect more new mothers.

Key Facts

  • In 2016, three in four women experienced pregnancy and maternity discrimination.
  • Some 54,000 women a year lose their job simply because they are pregnant.
  • The Bill seeks to provide statutory duty on employers to offer suitable alternative vacancies if pregnant women or new parents face redundancy.
  • Currently, there is a six-week qualifying period threshold for family leave to be entitled to redundancy protections.
  • The Government promised six years ago to address discrimination faced by pregnant women and mothers at work.
  • Up to 4,000 women risk losing their employment due to pregnancy or maternity discrimination.
  • The Bill extends no additional protections to working parents beyond those mandated in the regulations.
  • Employment tribunals are currently stretched with a backlog of 0.5 million cases.
  • The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations require employers to offer suitable alternative vacancies when an employee on maternity leave is at risk of redundancy.
  • The Bill aims to extend similar protections to adoption leave and shared parental leave where appropriate.
  • Consultation with the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Advisory Board will inform the precise details of regulations.
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