Potential Change to Maternity Entitlement Raises Big Questions
Potential Change to Maternity Entitlement Raises Big Questions
The European Union will take a vote next month to decide whether to change the current maternity law. If the proposed changes are given the go-ahead, women who take maternity leave from work can expect 20 weeks leave on full pay.
This could have a major impact particularly on low income families, who are already feeling the pinch.
Belinda Phipps, the Chief Executive of the National Childbirth Trust believes that this law would be a hugely positive step forward for new mothers allowing them to take the time to develop a strong bond with their child without needing to worry about losing control of their finances
Expectant families would clearly also welcome such a change with welcome arms, but the proposal has not been met with such approval by all.
The British Chamber of Commerce have warned that these changes could cost the UK around 2.5bn a year, which they argue with an already strained economy is simply not viable
If such a law is enforced by the European Parliament it may push the UK Government into making further cuts to other public services in order to meet the cost
Business leaders have also raised concerns that these changes would prompt an unwelcome reaction from already struggling small businesses which would be unable to meet the cost of maternity lead, forcing some to stop employing young women as a precaution
Should the proposals be approved, the true impact of such changes may only become apparent in the full course of time