The current protections from redundancy for new and expectant mothers when they return to work after family-related leave are ‘clearly unacceptable’ and will be reviewed ‘in due course’, promises the Dept for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in its response to a Women and Equalities Select Committee report on pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

DBEIS cites independent research by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission that suggests 6% of all mothers were made redundant, 2% of them on return from their maternity leave. 9% of mothers also felt ‘forced to leave their jobs’.

‘Pregnancy and maternity discrimination: response to the select committee report’ links both to the WESC report – which includes 20 recommendations – and the DBEIS response.

The ‘recommendations’ included a request for assurance that women’s rights would not be eroded after the UK exit from Europe. DBEIS’ unequivocal response is that “… withdrawal from the EU will not lead to a diminution of employment rights”.