EU pregnancy law scuppered

By politics.co.uk staff

MEPs' plans to extend minimum maternity leave at full pay to 20 weeks have been defeated by ministers.

Intense lobbying by employment minister Ed Davey among his European colleagues appears to have paid off for the government, which vigorously opposed the proposals.

Initial plans from the European Commission to extend paid maternity leave from 14 weeks to 18 were pushed to be extended further to 20 weeks at full pay by the European parliament.

Britain argued that the plans would be too costly and socially regressive, since mothers on higher incomes would benefit more proportionally than those from poorer backgrounds.

That argument has been echoed by France and Germany, with enough votes secured to scupper the proposals.

Mr Davey said ahead of his round of diplomacy yesterday: "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.

"We are absolutely committed to creating the best possible family-friendly environment in the UK, but the solutions on the table today are not the best way to help."

It was also claimed that the plans would cost the taxpayer an extra £2 billion pounds and create a less attractive environment for business.

Edward Wanambwa of Russell-Cooke solicitors said: "Had these proposals been approved and introduced in the UK, clearly they would have affected some employers more than others.

Supporters of the proposals have dismissed the criticism that the proposals were "socially regressive", pointing out that all mothers would receive more than the current statutory rate of £124.88.

But Mr Wanambwa added: "Many employers in the UK already offer their employees considerably more than the minimum floor of statutory maternity and paternity pay."

The defeat means new EU laws on the matter will not be decided on before next year.

In the UK women are entitled to 12 months maternity leave, but the 90% of pay they receive for the first six weeks then falls to the statutory rate.

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.