Ministers speak out against proposed new maternity leave regulations

Posted 07/12/2010

The majority of European Union ministers have spoken out against plans to extend maternity leave for working mothers.

Currently, British companies are required under employment law to pay pregnant women six weeks’ salary at 90 per cent of their average earnings, with 33 weeks’ statutory pay at £125 per week thereafter.

However, plans were put forward in October 2010 that would see women entitled to 20 weeks on full pay and the European Parliament voted in favour of this potential change to legislation.

This week, the EU Employment Council met in Brussels to discuss the proposals and most countries said they would oppose the changes.

Minister for employment relations Edward Davey said he thinks extended maternity leave would be costly for the economy and also “socially regressive”.

He added: “Minimum standards across Europe are important, but countries also need the flexibility to put in place arrangements that work for them in their own individual circumstances.”